The Effects of Kinesio Taping on Heel-Rise Endurance and Gastrocnemius Muscle Oxygenation in Healthy Young Adults

NCT07464795 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: TU-FTR-MŞY-004
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

acilitative kinesio taping (KT) is commonly used by athletes to support muscle performance and delay fatigue. However, evidence regarding its effects on muscle endurance and oxygenation remains inconsistent. This study aims to investigate the acute effects of facilitative KT applied to the gastrocnemius muscle on heel-rise endurance performance and local muscle oxygenation in healthy young adults. In this randomized crossover trial, participants will complete two experimental sessions: one with facilitative kinesio taping and one with sham taping. After taping application, participants will perform a single-leg heel-rise test to task failure. Muscle oxygenation will be continuously monitored using a portable near-infrared spectroscopy device. The findings of this study may contribute to understanding whether kinesio taping has immediate physiological and performance-related effects on calf muscle endurance.

Conditions

Endurance Calf Test; KINESIOTAPING

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Total Concentric Work (J)

  Total concentric (positive) mechanical work (Joules) performed during a metronome-guided single-leg heel-rise test to task failure on the dominant limb. Work output will be measured using the Calf Raise App (computer-vision-based motion analysis).

  Measured during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)

• Percent Change in Gastrocnemius Muscle Oxygen Saturation at 20 Seconds (%ΔSmO₂_20s)

  From baseline rest to 20 seconds during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Total number of single-leg heel-rise repetitions

  Measured during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)

• Peak Heel-Rise Height (cm)

  Measured during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)

• Concentric Power (W)

  Measured during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)

• End-Exercise Muscle Oxygen Saturation (SmO₂_end)

  Measured at task failure during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)

• Half-Recovery Time (HRT) of SmO₂

  Measured during the 4-minute post-exercise recovery period following the heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)

Study Arms (2)

Facilitative Kinesio Taping

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive facilitative kinesio taping applied to the gastrocnemius muscle using a Y-shaped elastic tape with approximately 50% stretch. After application, participants will perform a single-leg heel-rise test to task failure.

Device: Kinesio Taping

Sham Taping

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants will receive sham taping applied to the gastrocnemius muscle using a Y-shaped non-elastic tape without stretch. After application, participants will perform a single-leg heel-rise test to task failure.

Device: Sham Taping

Interventions

Kinesio Taping DEVICE

Y-shaped Kinesio Tex elastic tape applied to the gastrocnemius muscle with approximately 50% stretch following muscle facilitation principles.

Facilitative Kinesio Taping

Sham Taping DEVICE

Y-shaped Hypafix tape applied to the gastrocnemius muscle without stretch using the same anatomical configuration.

Sham Taping

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Young adults aged 18-25 years
• Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool score of ≥28

You may not qualify if:

• Sedentary (\<150 min/week moderate or \<75 min/week vigorous physical activity)
• Elite athletes
• History of ankle sprain
• Lower extremity fracture
• Surgical intervention
• Neurological or vestibular disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Trakya University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Trakya University

Edirne, Edirne, 22100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Central Study Contacts

Muhammed Şeref Yıldırım, PhD

CONTACT

+905057443650; muhammeds.yildirim@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant (PhD)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 23, 2026
• First Posted: March 11, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)