The impact of kinesiology tape application on the volume of interstitial space over the gastrocnemius within healthy mixed-gender participants using ultrasonography

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of kinesiology tape application on the volume of interstitial space over the gastrocnemius within healthy mixed gender participants using diagnostic ultrasound. Materials/methods: A lab-based experiment was conducted involving thirty healthy participants 26.5 ± 8.5 who volunteered to take part in this study with no previous injuries. Participants were randomly allocated to either the kinesiology group, Zinc-oxide or no tape group. Kinesiology tape was applied through the “I Strip” technique. Each application comprised of a 10 cm piece of tape applied at the mid-point of the gastrocnemius, at a 50% stretch (7.5 cm each side). The interstitial space was recorded at this point using the Real Time Diagnostic Biosound Ultrasound machine. The tape was applied for twenty-four hours and the interstitial space was re-measured. Same methodology was repeated for those in the Zinc-oxide and the no tape group. Results: A one-way repeated measures ANOVA test reported a significant difference in the volume of interstitial space between the no tape and KT group and the KT and Zinc oxide group for both initial and 24-hour readings (p=0.002, p≤0.000). Paired t-tests between the initial and after 24-hours readings revealed no significant differences showing that there was no further increase of the interstitial space after 24 hours. Conclusions: The application of the kinesiology tape increases the interstitial space within healthy participants a twenty-four hour application. Further research should take place in relation to the different applied tensions of the tape and the impact this has upon the volume of interstitial space.