ACUTE EFFECT OF KINESIOTAPE APPLICATION ON SHOULDER MUSCLE STRENGTH IN MALE WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Purpose: Shoulder muscle strength is vital in wheelchair basketball. This study aimed to determine the acute effect of Kinesiotaping on shoulder muscle strength of wheelchair basketball players. Methods: A total of 12 wheelchair basketball players were included in the study. The mean age of the athletes was 31.17 +/- 7.85 years and the mean body mass index was 25.41 +/- 6.96 kg/m (2). Athletes were assessed before and after the Kinesiotape application on deltoid muscle and shoulder. Muscle facilitation technique was applied to the deltoid muscle. Isokinetic parameters of the deltoid muscles of athletes were measured using a Cybex NORM isokinetic dynamometer. Measurements were taken for flexion and abduction movements on both dominant and non-dominant shoulders. In isokinetic measurement, five repetitions at 60 degrees/s and 10 repetitions at 180 degrees/s for shoulder muscle strength were performed. Peak torques and total works were calculated. Results: An increase of the peak torque and total work were found on dominant and non-dominant shoulders of all athletes on flexion and abduction movement at 60 degrees/s and 180 degrees/s with Kinesiotaping (p <0.05). Conclusion: The Kinesiotape application on shoulders could increase the isokinetic muscle strength of the wheelchair basketball players. This study has shown that the Kinesiotaping application may be used to support muscle strength.