Gregory Chandler on Kinesiology Tape

Viewers of the London 2012 Olympic Games cannot help but notice the substantial amount of unusual tape on many athletes.  The tape is called kinesiology tape (KT).  After reviewing several scholarly articles, the conclusion is that KT provides no substantial benefit to an individual when it is simply placed on the body.  

Athletes have long used athletic tape for matters such as body compression, impact protection, and joint control.  This type of tape continues to have benefits.  I notice that many divers at the 2012 Olympic Games use athletic tape for protection from the impact of a dive.   

KT may, however, have a placebo benefit.  Nonetheless, there is little evidence that KT benefits an athlete other than a placebo benefit.  

Gregory Chandler