The effects of taping on scapular kinematics and muscle performance in baseball players with shoulder impingement syndrome

Yin Hsin Hsu, Wen Yin Chen, Hsiu Chen Lin, Wendy T.J. Wang, Yi Fen Shih*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

288 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of elastic taping on kinematics, muscle activity and strength of the scapular region in baseball players with shoulder impingement. Scope: Seventeen baseball players with shoulder impingement were recruited from three amateur baseball teams. All subjects received both the elastic taping (Kinesio TexTM) and the placebo taping (3 M Micropore tape) over the lower trapezius muscle. We measured the 3-dimensional scapular motion, electromyographic (EMG) activities of the upper and lower trapezius, and the serratus anterior muscles during arm elevation. Strength of the lower trapezius was tested prior to and after each taping application. The results of the analyses of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures showed that the elastic taping significantly increased the scapular posterior tilt at 30° and 60° during arm raising and increased the lower trapezius muscle activity in the 60-30° arm lowering phase (p < 0.05) in comparison to the placebo taping. Conclusions: The elastic taping resulted in positive changes in scapular motion and muscle performance. The results supported its use as a treatment aid in managing shoulder impingement problems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1092-1099
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
Volume19
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009

Keywords

  • Electromyography
  • Kinematics
  • Shoulder impingement syndrome
  • Therapeutic taping

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