This experiment investigated the effects of dynamic taping on strength and fatigue of shoulder external and internal rotators following a fatigue protocol in healthy recreational overhead athletes.
Twenty participants between 18 and 40 years of age who performed overhead sports for more than 6 hours per week were recruited in this crossover study. There were three visits with an interval of more than a week to test the effects of sham taping (Sham), kinesio taping (KT), and DT. Sham taping was given on the first visit, followed by a random order of visits of KT and DT. The measures included median power frequency of anterior deltoid, infraspinatus, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi during isometric contraction, as well as isokinetic eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) strength of external and internal rotators at a velocity of 60°/s and 240°/s. The measures were collected at the baseline (Pre) and after the fatigue protocol (Post) during each visit. KT was applied to correct shoulder posture and facilitate shoulder external rotators, while DT was applied to correct shoulder alignment and assist CON contraction and ECC control of external rotators. The fatigue protocol required participants to perform external and internal CON contraction at a velocity of 120°/s with a maximum of 32 rep/set for six sets. The fatigue protocol was terminated early if the rating of perceived exertion was more than 15 or muscle torque declined more than 50% of the first three repetitions. For each subject, the sets in the fatigue protocol for DT and KT would be the same as those for Sham.
The median power frequency of infraspinatus decreased 14.21% in a visit for sham taping (>8%), indicating the external rotator did have fatigue after the fatigue protocol. From Post to Pre, significant interactions were found in the external rotation torque at CON/CON 240°/s, CON/ECC 60°/s, and CON/ECC 240°/s (p = 0.032, p = 0.002, p = 0.001, respectively). Post hoc analyses revealed that KT significantly prevented torque decreases after the fatigue protocol (p = 0.039, p = 0.002, p= 0.005), whereas Sham and DT did not.
Our results may indicate that KT may prevent the declination of external torque after the fatigue protocol, whereas DT did not maintain ER torque. Our results may indicate that KT may prevent the declination of external torque after the fatigue protocol, whereas DT did not maintain ER torque.
Using KT instead of DT for recreational overhead athletes may prevent fatigue.
fatigue
isokinetic strength
