The Use of Kinesio Tape with a Strengthening Protocol in Aiding Scapular Retraction through Facilitation of the Rhomboids

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association. Volume 4 Issue 1 OATA Supplemental Issue Article 13

The Use of Kinesio Tape with a Strengthening
Protocol in Aiding Scapular Retraction through
Facilitation of the Rhomboids

Elena Robinson
Department of Athletic Training, Marietta College

CONTEXT
Rounded shoulder posture (RSP) is a type of poor upper body posture that can lead to other biomechanical changes of the body, as well as pathological issues.1-3 Kinesio Tape (KT) facilitation, along with a strength protocol, on the rhomboid muscles will aid in scapular retraction.

OBJECTIVE
To examine immediate effects of KT facilitation of the rhomboid muscles as well as postural changes, over time, when KT facilitation is combined with a strength protocol on the rhomboid muscles.

DESIGN
Repeated measures, randomized experimental study.

SETTING
Division III liberal arts college.

PARTICIPANTS
11 participants with RSP (6 male, 5 female, age 28.8 + 13.0 years).

INTERVENTION
Pre-Test performed that included 3 exercises, 3 sets of 10 reps each, followed by the application of KT on the rhomboid muscles.  Repeat of the three exercises followed.

Strength protocol performed four times over next two weeks, with the fourth time becoming the post-test. Static videos of participant’s RSP taken throughout the pre and post-test. Videos taken during each exercise to assess dynamic posture in pre and post-test.

OUTCOME MEASURES
Dartfish Motion Analysis Software (Dartfish Inc., Fribourg, Switzerland) used to analyze immediate differences in RSP, as well as differences over the course of the pre-test to the post-test. Used independent samples t-test and a mixed-model ANOVA with a repeated measures factor in SPSS.

RESULTS
No significant immediate change in static postures (p > .05). Comparisons of experimental and control groups, effect of intervention over time, and interaction effects were not significant (p < .05).

CONCLUSION
KT alone, or KT with a strengthening protocol for the rhomboids, may not be an effective solution for RSP. Furthering testing needs to occur with greater number of participants.

KEY WORDS: kinesio tape, rounded shoulders, strengthening

Robinson, Elena () “The Use of Kinesio Tape with a Strengthening Protocol in Aiding Scapular Retraction through Facilitation of the
Rhomboids,” Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association: Vol. 4 : Iss. 1 ,
Article 13.
DOI: 10.25035/jsmahs.04.01.13
Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/jsmahs/vol4/iss1/13

Published Kinesio Research

By KinesioTape

Kinesio® cannot be understood without understanding our story. Dr. Kenzo Kase developed the Kinesio Taping® Method in the 1970s to fill a void in the treatment options that were available at that time. He was searching for a way to facilitate the body’s natural healing process and prolong the benefits of his treatment after his patients left his clinic. Through his education as a chiropractor, his innate ability to sense internal pain and dysfunction through the skin and his creative therapeutic mind, Dr. Kase was able to develop new methods of treating his diagnoses. Among these methods, Kinesio® Taping industry was born and soon all other therapeutic elastic tape companies built upon Kinesio tape and methods.

The Kinesio Taping® Method is a definitive rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion.

Latex-free and wearable for days at a time, Kinesio® Tex Tape is safe for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions.

If it doesn’t say Kinesio®, its not the real thing

Leave a Reply