Mine Pekesen KURTCA, Soner AKGUN, Berna ANIL, Esra Korkmaz SALKILIC, Enes AKDEMIR, Didem AYDIN, Elanur ATAR, Emre KARADUMAN, Ahmet Serhat GENC, Ali Kerim YILMAZ
The Atlantic Journal of Medical Science and Research - 2026;6(2):185-194
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of kinesio tape (KT) applied to the hamstring and quadriceps muscles on balance and proprioception in healthy young adult males. Materials and Methods: The study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, within-subject trial. The study included 40 legs from 20 recreationally active participants aged 18-27 years. Participants were randomized so that one leg was assigned to the real KT group and the other leg to the sham KT group. The joint position was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex NORM(R), Humac, CA, USA), while balance was assessed using the CSMI-TecnoBody PK-252 at two time points: baseline and 30 minutes after taping. Participants and evaluators were blinded to group assignment. Results: KT improved proprioception at extension joint angles of 15 derece, 30 derece, and 45 derece; but not for flexion (p<0.05). However, a significant main effect of time was observed for joint extension angles in the KT condition (p<0.05). KT significantly improved balance scores for center of pressure y-axis (COPy), standard forward-backward deviation (SBFD), standard medium/lateral deviation (SMLD), average forward-backward speed (AFBS), average medium-lateral speed (AMLS), ellipse area (EA), perimeter (P), and stability index (SI) (p<0.05). Similarly, a significant main effect of time was observed for balance scores in the KT condition (p<0.05). In the sham condition, no significant differences were observed between pre- and post-tests for either balance state (p>0.05), except for AMLS (p=0.045). Conclusion: These findings suggest that facilitation-type KT may induce immediate improvements in extension-direction proprioception and in selected static balance parameters in healthy young men, whereas its effects on dynamic balance appear limited.
