Effect of the kinesio taping application method for the activation and strength of gastrocnemius muscles in healthy adults

The objective of this study was to verify the effect of kinesio-taping (KT) application of the origin for muscle insertion (O>I) and insertion for muscle origin (I>O) in healthy participants, through surface electromyography and peak torque of gastrocnemius muscles. A total of 69 participants with an average age of 22.9±5.2 years were evaluated, 41 women with an average age of 22.0±5.1 years, BMI 25.1±4.6 kg/m2, and 28 men with an average age of 22.0±5.1 years, BMI 23.1±3.3 kg/m2, randomized under three conditions: O>I, I>O and no KT (control), repeated three times with five-minute rest between sessions. The peak torque of the gastrocnemius lateral (GML) and medial (GMM) muscles was evaluated at speeds 30º/s 60º/s 120º/s and muscle activity through surface electromyography. Repeated-measurement ANOVA showed effect only on the variable speed (F=767,1; p<0.001) and the variables condition (F=0.010; p=0.990) and interaction (F=0.199; p=0.892) were not significant. In electromyography, Root mean Square (RMS) did not differ in the conditions evaluated, presenting standard behavior without significant differences. The KT application regardless of being O>I or I>O muscular, did not alter the muscle recruitment or contribute to the increase in peak torque performance during the three speeds.

Worldwide outcomes of nasal transposition of the split lateral rectus muscle for strabismus associated with 3rd-nerve palsy

Background/aimsTo determine success rate and complications associated with nasal transposition of the split lateral rectus muscle (NTSLR) for treating strabismus from 3rd-nerve palsy.MethodsAn international, multicentre, registry of patients with unilateral 3rd-nerve palsy treated with NTSLR was created. Patients with concurrent surgery on the contralateral eye were excluded. Primary outcome was horizontal alignment within 15 prism dioptres (PD) of orthotropia. Incidence of technical difficulties and vision-threatening complications by 6 months post-procedure were reported.ResultsNinety-eight patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 33.5 years (IQR 10.75–46). Aetiologies included congenital (31%), neoplastic (16%) and traumatic (15%). Twenty-five per cent of patients had prior ipsilateral strabismus surgery. Median exotropia decreased from 70PD preoperatively (IQR 50–90) to 1PD postoperatively (IQR 0–15.5), with a success rate of 69%. Performing concurrent superior oblique muscle tenotomy (SOT) was independently associated with success (p=0.001). Technical challenges occurred in 30% of cases, independently associated with a history of ipsilateral strabismus surgery (p=0.01). Eleven per cent of patients had vision-threatening complications, independently associated with more posterior placement of the split lateral rectus (LR) muscle (p<0.001), and most commonly transient serous choroidal effusion. Surgical placement of the split LR muscle within 4.25 mm of the medial rectus (MR) muscle insertion reduced this risk.ConclusionNTSLR significantly improved primary position alignment altered by 3rd-nerve palsy. Concurrent SOT and placement of the split LR muscle ≤4.25 mm posterior to the MR muscle insertion optimised outcomes. NTSLR proved technically challenging when prior ipsilateral strabismus surgery had been performed.

Therapeutic Elastic Tapes Applied in Different Directions Over the Triceps Surae Do Not Modulate Reflex Excitability of the Soleus Muscle

Context: Elastic taping has been widely used for either to facilitate or to inhibit muscle contraction. The efficacy of elastic taping is allegedly ascribed to physiological mechanisms related to subcutaneous tissue and muscle stimulation as a result of tape tension and direction. However, the underlying mechanisms that support the use of elastic taping are still unclear. Objective: To investigate changes in electrophysiological responses after 48 hours of tape application in different directions on the calf muscles of healthy individuals. Design: Within-subjects design. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants: Twenty-seven physically active males (age 18.0 [4.2] y, height 1.65 [0.07] m, body mass 62.3 [10.3] kg) participated. Interventions: Soleus H-reflex responses were evoked through stimulation of the tibial posterior nerve with 2- to 4-second interval between stimuli (32 sweeps) for each condition (baseline: without tape; facilitation: tape applied from muscle origin to insertion; inhibition: tape applied from muscle insertion to origin). Main Outcome Measures: The H-reflex amplitude values were normalized by the maximal direct response (Mmax). Parameters were estimated from a sigmoidal fit of the H-reflex recruitment curve (ascending limb). Results: No significant differences were found for the parameters derived from the recruitment curve of the H-reflex among the conditions (P > .05). Conclusions: The authors’ findings showed that, irrespective of the direction of tape application, the elastic tape applied over the triceps surae does not generate any significant alteration on the excitability of the reflex pathway for different subpopulations of motor units. The authors therefore suggest a re-examination of the current recommendations on taping direction in clinical and sports activities.