Effects of kinesio taping applied over the biceps muscle on muscle activity and muscle fatigue.

BACKGROUND: Kinesio taping (KT) is commonly used to support muscle function, enhance performance, and reduce fatigue in both athletic and clinical settings. Understanding its effects on agonist and antagonist muscle groups during resistance exercises is essential for optimizing training and rehabilitation strategies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of kinesiotaping (KT) applied to the biceps brachii on the activation and fatigue of the biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles during bicipital curl exercise. METHODS: A total of 40 participants (10 female athletes, 10 male athletes, 10 sedentary females, and 10 sedentary males), aged 18-24 years, were included in the study. The participants performed isotonic muscle activation and isometric fatigue protocols targeting the BB (agonist) and TB (antagonist) muscles during the bicipital curl movement following KT application. Surface EMG signals were collected via wireless Ag/AgCl electrodes and a Noraxon system. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed in the pre- and posttest values of the BB muscle during the bicep curl exercise (p < 0.05). Additionally, analysis of median frequency (MF) values revealed no overall pre-post differences. However, a significant posttest between-group difference was observed in the BB muscle, with athletes showing lower MF values than sedentary participants, indicating relatively greater fatigue in athletes. CONCLUSIONS: The 48-hour application of Kinesio tape led to increased electrical activation of the agonist muscle (BB), and sedentary individuals demonstrated higher MF values compared to athletes, indicating relatively lower fatigue levels after taping. These findings suggest that short-term KT may alter neuromuscular function by modulating muscle activation and fatigue patterns. Furthermore, the results highlight the differential impact of KT depending on training status, suggesting that while KT may facilitate performance in trained individuals, it could accelerate fatigue in untrained individuals. Future research should explore optimal taping duration, tension, and placement strategies to tailor KT interventions for specific functional goals.