Effect of kinesio taping on calf pain after a half marathon. A pilot study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of kinesio taping on calf pain in healthy runners immediately after a half marathon. Method: A sample of 13 runner volunteers was recruited in a half marathon. Calf pain measurements were taken at baseline and 10-15 minutes after competition. Kinesio tape was applied to the calf of runners the evening before the competition, only on one leg, with the contralateral leg acting as a control. Results: The results of the repeated measures ANOVA in the leg differences on pain values did not show statistically significant differences (p = 0.515). However, the effect size after the race could be an indication that kinesio tape might be useful (g = - 0.37) and that studies with the sample calculated would be necessary (n = 61). Conclusions: When kinesio tape was applied to healthy half marathon runners, the data did not disclose whether the tape could lead to control calf pain produced by the competition.