The effects of Kinesio Taping on the trajectory of the forelimb and the muscle activity of the Musculus brachiocephalicus and the Musculus extensor carpi radialis in horses.
Authors: Zellner Antonia, Bockstahler Barbara, Peham Christian
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary Kinesio taping has gained popularity in equine practice, yet evidence supporting its biomechanical effects remains limited. Zellner and colleagues investigated whether facilitation-style kinesio taping applications to the brachiocephalicus and extensor carpi radialis muscles altered forelimb kinematics and muscle activation patterns, recruiting 19 horses and ponies of varying ages and body weights and collecting data via motion capture and surface electromyography during walk and trot on a treadmill under three conditions: baseline, with tape applied, and immediately post-removal. The researchers found that whilst kinesio taping produced no statistically significant changes to forelimb trajectory or the magnitude of muscle electrical activity in either gait, there were subtle alterations in muscle activation timing that warrant further investigation with larger sample sizes and longer wear periods. For practitioners considering kinesio taping as a therapeutic intervention, these findings suggest the technique may not provide the substantial kinematic or EMG advantages sometimes claimed, though it may have indirect benefits through proprioceptive feedback or placebo mechanisms not captured by this methodology. Future research should examine chronic application effects and explore whether specific taping patterns produce outcomes distinct from generalised facilitation approaches.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Kinesio Taping does not appear to acutely modify forelimb biomechanics or muscle activation patterns in healthy horses during treadmill locomotion
- •Claims about Kinesio Tape's effects on muscle facilitation in horses lack scientific support based on this controlled analysis
- •Further research is needed to determine if Kinesio Taping has any functional benefit for equine athletic performance or rehabilitation
Key Findings
- •Kinesio Taping application did not produce significant changes in forelimb trajectory during walk or trot in healthy horses and ponies
- •No significant alterations in M. brachiocephalicus muscle activity were detected with tape application or post-taping
- •No significant alterations in M. extensor carpi radialis muscle activity were detected with tape application or post-taping
- •Effects were assessed across three conditions (no tape, with tape, post-tape) at two gaits using kinematic and electromyographic analysis