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The Benefits of Athletic Tape
The Benefits of Athletic Tape
In the world of sports and fitness, it seems like everyone is trying something new to improve their performance and preserve their body’s health. While many of these new techniques are helpful, one technique that has withstood the test of time is athletic tape.
This durable, skin-friendly tape is used to limit joint movement and provide support for muscles and joints. It comes in a variety of widths and includes zinc oxide ingredients to ensure that it adheres well to the skin. While the popularity of kinesiology tape has skyrocketed since two-time Olympic gold medalist Keri Walsh was seen sporting it, there are several other types of athletic tape that physical therapists, chiropractors and athletic trainers use. These can be loosely divided into three categories: corrective, supportive and compressive.
The primary feature of any athletic tape is its durability. It must be able to hold up to the intense and vigorous body movements that occur on the field or in the gym, as well as sweating and drying. In addition, it must be able to easily and painlessly be removed at the end of a workout session.
Another important factor is the amount of tensile strength and level of support that it provides. This is generally measured by the number of longitudinal and vertical fibers per inch on its backing. Higher quality tapes typically have 85 or more longitudinal and 65 or more vertical fibers per inch.
Finally, the adhesive used on the back of any athletic tape is also an important consideration. The more effective and dependable an adhesive is, the longer it will hold on, even under moisture or when exposed to direct sunlight. It should also be easily and quickly removed from the skin without leaving any glue residue behind.
While there are other tapes that can be used to immobilize a joint or muscle, athletic tape is ideal for injuries involving ligaments and joints because it is less flexible than others. This will prevent the injured area from moving into a position that could cause additional damage. This type of taping is also often used to support wraps and braces, as well as secure protective pads and dressings.
In the hands of a certified athletic training professional, this flexible, non-elastic tape can provide maximum support and help keep muscles and joints stable during intense exercise or competition. This allows the injury to heal at a faster rate than it would if the motion was not restricted. In addition, it can also decrease swelling to alleviate pain and inflammation. This tape is usually worn on the ankle/foot, wrist, hand or fingers. It is typically cut to size with special blunt-edged scissors. The tape is then applied using a technique called “synchronizing.” This involves making sure that the correct length of the tape is being used to cover the area where it is needed and preventing overlapping of the pieces of the tape. This will create a smooth, even application and help prevent chafing of the skin.
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