OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Kinesio-Taping (KT) on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. SETTING: Clinical laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-four non-athletic volunteers were assigned randomly in KT (n = 27) and placebo KT (n = 27) groups. INTERVENTIONS: The intense exercise protocol consisted of 100 consecutive drop-jumps from a 0.60 m high platform. Kinesio-Tape was applied with the fan technique on the quadriceps muscles in the KT group. The placebo KT group received the Kinesio-Tape with no technique and tension. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Muscle soreness, maximal isometric quadriceps muscle strength, vertical jump height, and blood analyses (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, and c-reactive protein) were measured pre-, immediately post-, 48 h post-, and 72 h post-exercise. RESULTS: There was a significant effect of time in all outcome measures (p < 0.05), except serum c-reactive protein level (p > 0.05). The intensity of muscle soreness was significantly lower in the KT group relative to the placebo KT group at 72 h post-exercise (p = 0.006). The serum creatine kinase level was significantly higher in the KT group compared to the placebo KT group at 72 h post-exercise (p = 0.012). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for the other outcome measures (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that KT intervention following the intense exercise protocol reduces muscle soreness. However, it has no effects on maximal quadriceps isometric strength and vertical jump height, as well as serum lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, and c-reactive protein levels. Furthermore, KT application after intense exercise also increases serum CK level.
Copyright Human Kinetics. Reprinted with permission from Human Kinetics (Champaign, IL).

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