The Effects of Kinesio Taping on Heel-Rise Endurance and Gastrocnemius Muscle Oxygenation in Healthy Young Adults

Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-25
SponsorTrakya University

About this trial

acilitative kinesio taping (KT) is commonly used by athletes to support muscle performance and delay fatigue. However, evidence regarding its effects on muscle endurance and oxygenation remains inconsistent. This study aims to investigate the acute effects of facilitative KT applied to the gastrocnemius muscle on heel-rise endurance performance and local muscle oxygenation in healthy young adults.

In this randomized crossover trial, participants will complete two experimental sessions: one with facilitative kinesio taping and one with sham taping. After taping application, participants will perform a single-leg heel-rise test to task failure. Muscle oxygenation will be continuously monitored using a portable near-infrared spectroscopy device. The findings of this study may contribute to understanding whether kinesio taping has immediate physiological and performance-related effects on calf muscle endurance.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Young adults aged 18-25 years

Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool score of ≥28

Disqualifiers

Sedentary (<150 min/week moderate or <75 min/week vigorous physical activity)

Elite athletes

History of ankle sprain

Lower extremity fracture

Trial design

Design model

Crossover

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Kinesio Taping

    Device

    Y-shaped Kinesio Tex elastic tape applied to the gastrocnemius muscle with approximately 50% stretch following muscle facilitation principles.

  • Sham Taping

    Device

    Y-shaped Hypafix tape applied to the gastrocnemius muscle without stretch using the same anatomical configuration.

Treatment groups

34 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Facilitative Kinesio TapingExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Sham TapingSham comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Total Concentric Work (J)

Total concentric (positive) mechanical work (Joules) performed during a metronome-guided single-leg heel-rise test to task failure on the dominant limb. Work output will be measured using the Calf Raise App (computer-vision-based motion analysis).

Time frame
Measured during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)
2

Percent Change in Gastrocnemius Muscle Oxygen Saturation at 20 Seconds (%ΔSmO₂_20s)

Time frame
From baseline rest to 20 seconds during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)

Secondary outcomes

1

Total number of single-leg heel-rise repetitions

Time frame
Measured during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)
2

Peak Heel-Rise Height (cm)

Maximum heel-rise height (cm) achieved during the single-leg heel-rise test, measured using the Calf Raise App.

Time frame
Measured during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)
3

Concentric Power (W)

Mean concentric power output (Watts) generated during the single-leg heel-rise test, measured using the Calf Raise App.

Time frame
Measured during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)
4

End-Exercise Muscle Oxygen Saturation (SmO₂_end)

Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) value recorded at the point of task failure during the heel-rise test.

Time frame
Measured at task failure during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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