Utilization of kinesio tape as an aid in the removal of lactic acid from the blood of cyclists

This study investigated if the application of Kinesio tape would aid in an athlete's recovery. Seventeen experienced cyclists between the ages of 18 and 25 participated in the study. At an initial session a workload was determined against which each participant pedaled a stationary bike in the trial sessions. In the next two sessions the participants either had Kinesio tape applied to their knees or no tape was applied. During these sessions, the participants pedaled against their previously determined workload. They pedaled for 20 minutes, at which time the workload was removed and the participant began recovery. Recovery lasted until a total of 35 minutes had elapsed. Starting at five minutes after beginning to pedal and at five-minute intervals thereafter, blood lactate was determined for each individual. Analysis of the data revealed that application of tape had no effect on recovery as indicated by blood lactate levels. The data was evaluated for the mean blood lactate of the group as a whole and as well as for individual groups clustered by the final workload they pedaled against. Finally, an ANOVA of the taped versus non taped groups revealed no effect, when each individual was used as his or her own control. This also showed no effect on blood lactate level with or without the application of Kinesio tape. Thus, under the conditions of this study the use of Kinesio tape had no effect on the removal of lactate.