INTRODUCTION: The use of Kinesio Taping (KT) in athletic competitions as an attempt to increase the athletes' performance of different modalities has increased substantially. However, there are few studies assessing the effects of this method on physical performance. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of KT in maximal isometric strength handgrip (FIPM) and the endurance strength (RF) of paddle players after performing one game set. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This counterbalanced study of repeated measures enrolled 14 people who were submitted to FIPM and RF measuring in three distinct conditions: at rest, and after one game set with or without KT. The variables were measured on the dominant side, with an electronic handgrip dynamometer with the subject seated, elbow flexed a 90˚ against the trunk and forearm in neutral rotation. For FIPM it was considered the average of three measurements and for RF it was measured the time that the subject was able to sustain 70% of the FIPM. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the three conditions regarding FIPM (p = 0.86). For RF, it was observed a significant reduction on the condition without KT (24.16 ± 12.49 s) when compared to rest (33.46 ± 14.05, p = 0.01), which did not happen when using KT (31.01 ± 11.85). CONCLUSIONS: The application of KT inhibited the reduction of RF in paddle players after one game set, but it did not cause any effects on FIPM.
Muscle strength; Grip strength; Physical endurance; Kinesio Taping; Tape
