Effect of kinesio taping on shoulder maximal voluntary contraction, proprioception and upper limb reaction time in recreational badminton players: A randomized placebo controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Despite recent gain in popularity and the proposed theories of effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT), there remains a lack of sufficient literature on the effect of kinesio taping on maximal voluntary contraction, proprioception and upper limb reaction time. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of kinesio taping and fatigue on maximal voluntary contraction, proprioception of the shoulder and upper limb reaction time in recreational badminton players. PARTICIPANTS: 40 recreational badminton players were included in the study. METHODS: The subjects were randomly allocated into–1) the KT group and 2) Placebo group. Maximal voluntary contraction, proprioception and reaction time was measured before the application of KT to the shoulder and after 35 minutes of playing badminton with KT. ANALYSIS: Wilcoxin signed rank test was used for within group comparison and Mann Whitney U test was used for between group comparison. RESULTS: For proprioception within group comparison showed a significant difference at 60° of flexion and 120° of abduction in the control group. On comparison of change in effect size, a significant difference was seen at 60°, 90° of flexion and at 90° of external rotation. For maximal voluntary contraction, between group comparison showed a significant difference in all muscle groups except for the internal rotators.For reaction time, a significant difference was seen on between group comparison. (p <  0.05) CONCLUSION: Kinesio taping may help in maintaining proprioception and strength of the shoulder and improving reaction time in badminton players even after a fatiguing game.