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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
34
Y-shaped Kinesio Tex elastic tape applied to the gastrocnemius muscle with approximately 50% stretch following muscle facilitation principles.
Y-shaped Hypafix tape applied to the gastrocnemius muscle without stretch using the same anatomical configuration.
Trakya University
Edirne, Edirne, Turkey (Türkiye)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Half-Recovery Time (HRT) of SmO₂
Time (seconds) required for muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) to recover to 50% of the difference between end-exercise SmO₂ and peak recovery SmO₂ during the standardized 4-minute recovery period.
Time frame: Measured during the 4-minute post-exercise recovery period following the heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)
Percent Change in Total Hemoglobin at 20 Seconds (%ΔtHb_20s)
Percentage change in total hemoglobin (tHb) at 20 seconds of the heel-rise test relative to baseline (tHb\_rest), measured using near-infrared spectroscopy.
Time frame: From baseline rest to 20 seconds during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)
Eccentric Work (J) During Single-Leg Heel-Rise Test
Total eccentric (negative) mechanical work (Joules) performed during the metronome-guided single-leg heel-rise test to task failure on the dominant limb, 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)
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