Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2015

Degree Type

Honors College Thesis

Department

Human Performance and Recreation

First Advisor

Scott Piland

Abstract

Muscles have fascial receptors, or mechanoreceptors, that are utilized during proprioception. Proprioception can be defined as the conscious and unconscious awareness of joint position. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of Kinesio tape on the unilateral performance in standing balance when applied over the skin superficial to the major muscle groups of the dominant lower limb of undergraduate male students. A statistically significant difference was not elicited for the OSI between KT Taped and Not-Taped conditions. Three tests were performed for 20 seconds, three times each, by each participant and recorded. The KT was applied to the subjects’ major muscle groups in their dominant leg prior to the 3 tests, and was removed after the tests are completed. The first test required the participants to stand unilaterally on their right leg on a stable platform for 20 seconds, with eyes open, for three trials. The second test required the participants to stand unilaterally on a stable platform for 20 seconds, eyes closed, for three trials. The third test required the participants to stand unilaterally on an unstable platform set at stability level four for 20 seconds, eyes open, for three trials. The scores were recorded for each test. The independent variable manipulated in this experiment was applying KT to the participants’ right leg, or not applying the Kinesio tape at all. The independent variable manipulated in this experiment was applying KT to the participants’ right leg, or not applying the Kinesio tape at all. The mean OSI of the participants standing on a stable platform, eyes open, and no KT applied was 1.1, which falls within the normal age dependent range.

Available for download on Tuesday, March 02, 2219

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