Has kinesio tape a thermal effect on sprint cycling performance? A thermographic study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effect that kinesio taping (KT) application on vastus lateralis and vastus medialis has on skin temperature (Tsk) of rectus femoris before and after a sprint cycling effort. Eight subjects were tested on a 6 s cycling sprint in two conditions: without KT (nKT), and with KT on both limbs (KT2). Thermal images of thighs were recorded before and after each sprint, thus providing skin temperature variations of rectus femoris (ΔT). Performance outcomes were Peak power (PP), Average power (AP) and Total work, recorded during the 6 s cycling sprint. PP and ΔT were significantly higher in the KT2 with respect to the nKT condition (p<0.05). This may be attributed to a thermal effect produced by the KT.