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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / The effects of Kinesio Taping on the trajectory of the forel...
PloS one2017; 12(11); e0186371; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186371

The effects of Kinesio Taping on the trajectory of the forelimb and the muscle activity of the Musculus brachiocephalicus and the Musculus extensor carpi radialis in horses.

Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Kinesio Taping on the trajectory of the forelimb and the muscle activity of the M. brachiocephalicus and the M. extensor carpi radialis in horses. 19 horses and ponies of different breeds (body weight: 496±117 kg), gender (8 mares, 10 geldings and 3 stallions) and ages (14.9±6.9 years old) were analysed without Kinesio Tape ("no tape"), with Kinesio Tape (muscle facilitation application on both muscles of both sides, "with tape") and immediately after Kinesio Taping ("post tape") through kinematic motion analysis and surface electromyography on a treadmill at the walk (speed: 1.5±0.1 m/s) and trot (speed: 3.1±0.3 m/s). Results: The results of the surface electromyography (maximum muscle activity at the walk and trot) and the kinematic motion analysis (maximum stride length and maximum height of the forelimbs flight arc at the walk and trot) showed that there were no significant differences between "no tape", "with tape" and "post tape". Conclusions: To sum up, Kinesio Taping on the M. brachiocephalicus and the M. extensor carpi radialis does not affect (in a positive or negative manner) the trajectory of the forelimb or the muscle activity of the M. brachiocephalicus and the M. extensor carpi radialis in horses.
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Publication Date: 2017-11-22 PubMed ID: 29166657PubMed Central: PMC5699842DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186371Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates if Kinesio Taping, an elastic therapeutic tape, influences the movement and muscle activity in horses’ forelimb. The examination concluded that the Kinesio Taping had no significant effect, neither positively nor negatively.

Research Context and Subjects

  • The study was conducted in a defined context, which aimed at understanding the effect of Kinesio Taping on horses’ stride and muscle activity.
  • Kinesio Taping is a technology developed for therapeutic and rehabilitation purposes, mainly in human sports medicine. However, its influence on equine locomotion and muscle activity is less explored.
  • 19 horses and ponies of different breeds, genders, and ages were selected for the study. These included 8 mares, 10 geldings, and 3 stallions. They were analyzed in three conditions: without a Kinesio Tape, with a Kinesio Tape, and just after the removal of the Kinesio Tape.

Methodology

  • Two specific muscles, M. brachiocephalicus and M. extensor carpi radialis, were monitored for any change in their activity due to Kinesio Taping.
  • The horses were made to walk and trot on a treadmill at specific speeds to keep the conditions uniform. This process was conducted for all three situations (no tape, with tape, and post tape).
  • The study employed Surface Electromyography (sEMG) to record muscle activity and a kinematic motion analysis to track movement and stride.

Results

  • The research findings suggested that there were no statistically significant differences in muscle activity and stride length in any of the three conditions. In both actions (walking and trotting), activity levels in the muscles were recorded at a maximum. Also, the maximum stride length and forelimbs’ flight arc height were recorded.
  • These results mean that the application of Kinesio Tape did not demonstrably enhance or hinder the horse’s motion or muscular activity. Therefore, these results contradict some popular assumptions that taping can improve muscle performance.

Conclusions

  • The research paper concludes that Kinesio Taping does not exert any significant effect on horse locomotion or muscle activity in M. brachiocephalicus and the M. extensor carpi radialis.
  • This study contributes to equine science by reducing the assumed effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on horses’ motor functions and muscle activities.

Cite This Article

APA
Zellner A, Bockstahler B, Peham C. (2017). The effects of Kinesio Taping on the trajectory of the forelimb and the muscle activity of the Musculus brachiocephalicus and the Musculus extensor carpi radialis in horses. PLoS One, 12(11), e0186371. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186371

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 11
Pages: e0186371
PII: e0186371

Researcher Affiliations

Zellner, Antonia
  • Movement Science Group, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
Bockstahler, Barbara
  • Movement Science Group, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
Peham, Christian
  • Movement Science Group, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Electrodes
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Forelimb / physiology
  • Gait / physiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Noguera-Iturbe Y, Martínez-Gramage J, Montañez-Aguilera FJ, Casaña J, Lisón JF. Short-Term Effects of Kinesio Taping in the Treatment of Latent and Active Upper Trapezius Trigger Points: two Prospective, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trials. Sci Rep 2019 Oct 9;9(1):14478.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51146-4pubmed: 31597934google scholar: lookup
  2. Liu CM, Lin SL, Liu HM, Huntingford JL. The effect of kinesiology taping on gait variability in healthy dogs. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1650607.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1650607pubmed: 41445587google scholar: lookup
  3. Domino M, Borowska M, Stefanik E, Domańska-Kruppa N, Skibniewski M, Turek B. The Effect of Filtering on Signal Features of Equine sEMG Collected During Overground Locomotion in Basic Gaits. Sensors (Basel) 2025 May 8;25(10).
    doi: 10.3390/s25102962pubmed: 40431757google scholar: lookup
  4. Noel RC, Shaw LM, Millis NH, Janas K, Millis DL. Kinesiology Taping Does Not Affect Tarsal Joint Motion During Selected Exercises in Dogs. Vet Sci 2025 May 3;12(5).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12050439pubmed: 40431532google scholar: lookup
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