The Effect of the Kinesio Tape on the Muscle Power Performance of Elite Weightlifters

Most sportsmen require the power of muscles for their performance. Weightlifting exercises such as the snatch or clean and jerk and their variations are frequently included in the power training programs of athletes who contest or participate in sports that need muscle power. The weightlifting exercises require athletes to accelerate the weight throughout the whole second pull phase, causing the barbell to be raised overhead and the athlete's body into the air, a movement in which the feet leave the platform. Furthermore, the movement patterns of the weightlifting exercises are mostly considered to be similar to athletic movements in different sports such as jumping and sprinting in soccer and basketball. Empirically, the kinetic qualities of the second pull phase are similar in both weightlifting and jumping movements. The role of the sport physical therapist is not restricted only to rehabilitation and injuries prevention, but they can also contribute to the performance of the athletes in a different aspect. Therefore, finding tools which may improve the muscle power of the weightlifters could increase the success in performing the sport-specific movements with higher loads. This could make the difference between winning or losing a competition. Thus, if it could be proven that the Kinesio Tape has the capability to improve muscle power, it could be used as a tool by the physiotherapist, either for enhancing the athlete's performance or for accelerating the last stage of the rehabilitation and, therefore, decreasing the number of absent days of athletes from training or matches due to injury.

Inclusion criteria

• 46 Male weightlifters from 18-35 years old.
• Weightlifters who playing at national weightlifting level.

Exclusion criteria

• Musculoskeletal injuries or surgery that may affect performance in the last 6 weeks prior to the study as reported by participant.
• Any neurological problem that may affect performance as reported by the participant.
• Known adverse reactions to taping.
• Any systemic diseases that affect the performance as reported by participant.