Types of Athletic Tape

Types of Athletic Tape

Athletic tape is a common and vital tool for professional athletes, weekend warriors, and anyone who enjoys any form of physical activity. Aside from preventing injury, it also helps facilitate proper movement and healing. It can serve a variety of purposes, including stabilizing, applying pressure, encouraging motion and reducing swelling. Whether you’re using it to sure up a balky ankle or strengthen your wrists for climbing, the right tape can make all the difference. The right type of tape also depends on what you’re trying to achieve with it; those who want a little extra elasticity in their tape should opt for an elastic version.

While not all athletic tapes are created equal, the majority of them do the same thing: provide support and limit motion. The differences between the various types of tape lie mainly in their materials, elasticity, and application techniques.

Traditional athletic tape is stiff, offers minimal elasticity, and has a zinc-oxide adhesive mass backing. It’s commonly used to immobilize a joint, such as the wrist or ankle, and was first developed in the 1970s by Dr. Kenzo Kase, whose Kinesio Tex Tape is still popular today. Most traditional tape is not intended to be applied directly to the skin, as this may cause irritation or chafing. It’s typically wrapped in a softer material called pre-wrap before applying, which can reduce the risk of skin irritation and also allow the tape to stick better to the body.

Non elastic athletic tape is similar to the rigid kind of tape mentioned above, but it has more tensile strength and a rayon covering that increases its abrasion resistance. It can be more difficult to get non elastic tape to closely conform to highly contoured areas of the body, however.

Elastic athletic tape is the most widely available and most versatile of the different kinds of tape. It can be used to support a variety of muscles and joints, but it’s best known for its use with knees and wrists. It’s often recommended that people who are trying kinesiology tape for the first time seek out the guidance and recommendations of a healthcare professional or an experienced athletic trainer. They can help you choose the right tape for your needs, show you the correct taping technique, and address any questions or concerns you may have.

All of the various types of athletic tape can be bought at most sporting goods stores and pharmacies. Some specialty sports retailers may also carry a wide range of options. The cost of the tape you select will likely vary depending on how much of it you need, but you can get a good idea of the quality by listening to how the tape comes off the roll; a smooth, uniform sound indicates that the tape has been manufactured well. You may also wish to purchase a roll of each style to compare the feel and durability of each. Regardless of what kind of tape you choose, keep scissors on hand to speed up the process of removing it from your body.

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