Acute effect of kinesiotape muscle technique on hamstring flexibility and pain during stretching

Abstract

Purpose: Static stretching exercises were generally used to improve hamstring flexibility. However it is known that stretching exercises generally create pain that makes stretching uncomfortable. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of kinesiotaping on hamstring muscle flexibility and pain during stretching. Methods: Fifteen voluntary participants (age=23.53±1.55 years) who have bilateral hamstring tightness were included in the study. Each subject's lower extremities were randomized with random number generator software and one included in the study group, the other included in control the group. Kinesiotape® was applied to the study group with muscle technique. After kinesiotape application to the study group, both groups did five repetitions of hamstring stretching exercises. Before and after intervention hamstring tightness and pain during hamstring stretching exercise were evaluated. Results: Analysis of the pre and post intervention assessments showed a significant improvement in the study group in active knee extension test and pain during hamstring stretching exercise (p.01). Discussion: Application of kinesiotape® muscle technique both increases muscle flexibility and decreases pain during stretching in acute condition. It could be used in subjects with hamstring tightness by physiotherapists to gain immediate effect.