Athletic Tape- A Guide To Its Types & Applications

Different Types of Athletic Tape

In the realm of athletic taping, non-elastic adhesive tapes are typically crafted from cotton and/or polyester, featuring a backing of zinc oxide adhesive. The absence of elasticity makes them less suitable for use on highly contoured body areas, such as the elbows and shoulders. These tapes are primarily found in white and are manufactured in widths ranging from 0.5 to 3 inches, with lengths of 10 to 15 yards.

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On the other hand, elastic adhesive tapes—commonly referred to as stretch tapes—come in widths of 1, 2, 3, and 4 inches and lengths of about 5 yards. Typically made from twisted cotton with an adhesive backing, these tapes are capable of conforming to body contours, although they offer slightly less support than non-elastic tapes.

Factors Influencing the Quality of Athletic Tape

Several key attributes primarily determine the quality of athletic tape, affecting its effectiveness, durability, and overall ability to support muscles and joints while preventing injuries. Commonly utilized by athletes, trainers, and medical professionals, athletic tape plays a crucial role in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Below are the essential factors that dictate the quality of athletic tape:

Material Composition

The performance of athletic tape hinges greatly on the materials employed in its manufacture. Premium-quality tapes often utilize durable, breathable, and hypoallergenic materials that balance flexibility and sturdiness.

Cotton and Synthetic Blends: Cotton is favored for its comfort and breathability, with synthetic materials like nylon or polyester enhancing durability and stretch. The ideal material should be rigid enough to lend support while permitting enough flexibility for natural movement.

Adhesive Quality

The adhesive must demonstrate sufficient strength to remain secure during physical activity, particularly when exposed to sweat, moisture, or abrasion. High-quality tapes utilize medical-grade adhesives, ensuring they adhere effectively while being easy to remove without leaving residue or irritating the skin.

Tensile Strength

Tensile strength refers to the tape's ability to endure stretching or pulling without tearing. Tapes exhibiting higher tensile strength are typically more durable and provide robust support for joints and muscles under load. Elastic tapes, such as kinesiology tape, are designed for dynamic movement, while non-elastic tapes focus on immobilization for injury protection.

Adhesion and Durability

The adhesive properties are critical for the overall quality of athletic tape. It should adhere effectively to the skin or pre-wrap for extended periods without slipping, crumpling, or peeling off prematurely.

Sweat and Moisture Resistance: Superior athletic tape maintains adhesive effectiveness even under sweaty or damp conditions, ensuring it remains secure during prolonged physical activity. Some tapes are crafted to be water-resistant for enhanced durability in humid or wet environments.

Breathability: A design featuring breathable materials facilitates air circulation, aiding in moisture reduction and minimizing skin irritation.

Comfort and Flexibility

Achieving comfort without excessive restriction is vital for high-quality athletic tape. It must deliver effective support while remaining non-intrusive to the athlete, especially during prolonged wear or intense activities.

Stretchability: Elastic tapes like kinesiology tape should stretch and adapt to the body's natural movements without rolling or wrinkling, ensuring both support and comfort.

Texture: Quality athletic tape typically possesses a smooth texture that minimizes skin irritation, sometimes featuring soft linings to enhance comfort for sensitive areas.

Skin Sensitivity and Hypoallergenic Features

Individuals with sensitive skin or allergies require hypoallergenic athletic tape designed to avoid irritation, redness, or rashes. The best tapes use skin-friendly materials that lower the likelihood of adverse reactions.

Latex-Free: High-quality tapes are often latex-free to accommodate those with latex allergies, which can provoke itching or swelling in sensitive individuals.

Hypoallergenic Adhesive: Tapes formulated for sensitive skin use medical-grade hypoallergenic adhesives to reduce irritation risk over extended wear.

Application and Removal Ease

Quality athletic tape should be easy to apply and remove, easily torn by hand if necessary, and adhere smoothly to the skin without creating creases.

Pre-Tearing Capabilities: Some superior tapes can be effortlessly torn by hand for rapid application, particularly beneficial in sports where time is limited.

Residue-Free Removal: The best tapes come off cleanly without leaving excessive adhesive residue, which can lead to discomfort and irritation.

Thickness and Weight

The performance of athletic tape is also influenced by its thickness and weight. High-quality options strike a balance, providing support without being overly thick or heavy to avoid discomfort.

Thin but Strong: Effective tape combines strength with a thin profile, enabling natural movement while ensuring adequate support.

Lightweight: Athletes prefer lightweight tapes, which offer essential support without adding an unnecessary burden during performance.

Versatility

Versatility emphasizes the tape's capacity for varied applications on different body parts. High-quality athletic tapes are multi-functional, effective for various sports, and compatible with different taping techniques.

Multiple Uses: The best tapes suit diverse purposes, such as stabilizing joints or minimizing injury risks. They should also work effectively on various body areas, including ankles, wrists, knees, and shoulders.

Compatibility with Other Products: Quality athletic tape should integrate well with other sports medicine supplies, like pre-wrap or additional padding, without compromising adhesion.

Brand Reputation and Professional Use

Athletic tape quality often reflects brand trust and professional endorsements. Established brands preferred by athletes and sports teams are likely to produce reliable, high-quality options.

Trusted by Professionals: Tapes commonly endorsed by athletic trainers and sports medicine professionals signal higher quality and consistency in performance.

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Uses for Athletic Tape in Various Body Areas

Athletic tape proves essential for supporting various body parts to mitigate differing injuries:

Taping for Feet and Toes

Arch taping supports the arch and forefoot, addressing injuries such as sprains, strains, and overuse conditions.

Notable foot and toe taping techniques include:

• Circular arch technique providing mild support for longitudinal arch strains.
• X-arch taping assisting with mild to moderate longitudinal arch and forefoot support, effective against conditions like plantar fasciitis.
• Loop arch taping delivering mild to moderate support focused on the longitudinal arch and forefoot.
• Weave arch taping, recognized for maximum support for the foot and toe regions.
• Low-Dye taping offering moderate support while addressing arch strains and other lower leg issues.

Ankle Taping

Ankle taping is pivotal for managing ankle sprains and strains while allowing temporary immobilization following fractures or severe injuries.

Common ankle taping techniques include:

• Closed basketweave taping, which provides moderate support and restricts joint range of motion.
• Heel lock taping enhances subtalar and talocrural joint support.
• Spartan slipper taping complements the closed basketweave technique for additional support during recovery.
• Subtalar sling taping offers further support at the subtalar joint.

A widely accepted application in the ankle area is spatting—common in football—which involves applying tape over shoes for minimal support against sprains.

Taping for Lower Leg Injuries

Lower leg injuries, including strains and overuse conditions, can be addressed through various taping techniques such as:

• Achilles tendon taping aimed at treating strains and tendinitis.
• Dorsal bridge taping limiting excessive plantar flexion.
• Peroneal tendon taping for stability during recovery from ankle sprains.
• Posterior splint taping used for immobilization of significant injuries.

Knee Taping Techniques

Knee taping is highly versatile, applied for an array of injuries like sprains, tears, and various chronic conditions. Techniques used include:

• McConnell taping as a remedy for patellofemoral syndrome.
• Hyperextension taping limiting movement when treating knee sprains.
• Collateral X taping providing support for collateral ligament injuries.
• Patellar tendon strap taping addressing conditions like patellar tendinitis.

Taping for the Thigh, Hip, and Pelvic Area

Similar to other parts of the body, athletic tape effectively treats strains and overuse injuries in the thigh, hip, and pelvic area. Techniques used include:

• Circular thigh taping for mild support.
• Hip pointer taping aimed at managing hip contusions.

Taping Applications for the Shoulder and Upper Arm

Athletic taping serves as a valuable method for addressing injuries in the shoulder and upper arm region. Techniques commonly employed include:

• Circular upper arm taping to provide support.
• Shoulder pointer taping to secure padding against impacts.

Elbow and Forearm Taping Techniques

Athletic tape applications in the elbow and forearm can assist in managing injuries through various techniques, including:

• Hyperextension taping to limit excessive movement.
• Lateral epicondylitis strap taping to alleviate 'tennis elbow' symptoms.
• Circular forearm taping to offer mild support.
• Figure-of-eight elbow taping for added protection.

Wrist Taping for Common Injuries

Injuries to the wrist manageable through athletic tape include sprains and strains. Techniques tailored for the wrist encompass:

• Circular wrist technique offering mild support.
• Figure-of-eight wrist taping providing moderate support.
• Fan, strip, and X taping focusing on reducing excessive motion and providing stability.

Final Thoughts

Athletic tape serves multiple functions in addressing soft tissue injuries and provides significant support for protective padding against external impacts.

In addition to supporting injured areas, athletic tape plays a pivotal role in restricting joint movement to mitigate injury risk.

This post was authored by Mason Dubina, ATC, a certified athletic trainer at Parkview Sports Medicine.

The application of tape serves only as one aspect of injury management. Its usage shouldn’t replace a comprehensive rehabilitation approach that includes internal interventions for injury recovery.

For more information about the services available at Parkview Sports Medicine for local athletes, visit our website. SCICO CARE stands as the premier supplier of Custom Athletic Tape, providing resources tailored to your needs.