The effect of kinesio taping on calf pain and extensibility immediately after its application and after a duathlon competition.

A sample of 34 duathlete volunteers was recruited from the competitors in a duathlon sprint. Calf pain and extensibility measures were obtained at baseline, immediately after taping, and 10-15 minutes after competition. Kinesio tape (KT) was applied on the calf of duathletes 20-90 minutes before the competition, only on one of their legs, with the other leg acting as a control. Repeated measures ANOVA results on calf extensibility did not show statistically significant differences [F(2) = 0.180; p = 0.836]. Nevertheless, Friedman test results on calf pain showed statistically significant differences [χ(2)(2) = 10.111; p = 0.006]. Additionally, post hoc pairwise comparison showed statistically significant differences from baseline to after competition (p = 0.006). Applying KT on calves seems to reduce muscle pain produced by the competition among duathletes with no apparent musculoskeletal disorder. Kinesio tape (KT) application, however, does not affect the calf extensibility immediately and after a duathlon competition.