Jamaica’s Bridgitte Foster-Hylton is a user
We’ve all seen it, but how many of us actually know what it is?
All sorts of coloured tape on all sorts of athletes in all sorts of sports, but what do they use it for, what is it actually there for? Well, what you see taped down the thighs of Gareth Bale as he sprints down the wing is what’s known as Kinesio Tape. Read all about it.
Technically as well as officially, it’s elastic theraputic tape, however you may see it referred to as K-tape, Kinesio tape or Kinesiology tape. It’s an elastic cotton strip with acrylic adhesive to help it stick to the body. It can stretch up to 1140% of it’s original length. But what does it do? Elastic theraputic tape is used to treat injuries common within all kinds of sports, hence it’s popularity. It’s also used within medicine to heal physical disorders. It was first used by orthopedists, chiropractors, acupuncturists and alternative medicinal practitioners in Japan. By 1988, it had been adopted by the Japanese olympic commission and has only gone on from there. How exactly does it work?
The tape is designed to mimic human skin. It has roughly the same thickness, as well as elasticity. As a result of application, the tape ‘recoils’ on the muscle of the athlete, therefore creating a tight ‘pulling’ force on the muscle it’s being applied to. It’s stretched out before it’s applied to skin so it can ‘recoil’ on the skin and secure the muscle securely. So there you go, that coloured tape does have it’s uses. It stops your favourite player being out for half a season and helps your favourite team make that push up the table.
Head over to www.kinesiotaping.co.uk/shop for all your taping needs. Starter packs start from just £39.98 and qualify for same day dispatch.
