Effect of Kinesio Tape on Symptoms Induced by Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in Hamstrings

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) refers to the skeletal muscle pain that follows the novel eccentric exercise. Although this condition is self-limiting, it can temporarily affect the function and interrupt training. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Kinesio tape on pain intensity, range of motion, and function during delayed onset muscle soreness in the amateur hamstring muscles.

This study is a clinical trial conducted on 32 untrained individuals with a Mean±SD age of 24.16±3.049 years. At first, the participants were assessed with an active knee extension range of motion, distance in triple hop test, pressure-induced pain, and overall pain before Kinesio tape intervention, and then Kinesio tape intervention was applied to the hamstrings from origin to insertion (proximal to distal) in a Y shape with a tension of approximately 30%. The study variables were evaluated again 24, 48, and 72 hours after the intervention (4 times totally)

Kinesio tape could significantly reduce pain intensity 24 hours and 48 hours after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). Also, Kinesio tape intervention increases the range of motion of active knee extension in the first 24 hours compared to before the intervention (P=0.0.4). Besides, the effect of using Kinesio tape intervention on the variable of the triple hop test was significant 24 and 48 hours after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). Kinesio tape increase in the threshold of compressive pain after the intervention was not significantly different from before the intervention (P>0.05).

According to the present study results, the Kinesio tape possibly reduced DOMS-induced parameters like pain, range of motion limitations, and function, but it had no significant advantage in other DOMS-induced parameters like pressure pain threshold. Kinesio tape application before exercise or competition should be considered by exercise trainers and athletes. Future studies may evaluate different strategies or therapeutic applications to prevent and manage DOMS.