Effect Of Kinesiology Tape And Sports Massage On Markers Of Exercise Induced Muscle Soreness And Muscular Power Among University Football Players

The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of kinesiology tape and sport massage on exercise-induced muscle soreness and muscular power in UiTM Seremban 3 football player’s post-match. This study is a quasi-experimental design This quasi-experimental study involved eleven (N=11) participants that were assigned to underwent kinesiology tape (KT) and sport massage (SM). The participants underwent taping of the lower limbs, with particular emphasis on the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius muscles, for both the KT and SM interventions. The participant’s pain scale and ROM were recorded at four time periods: immediately after the match, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after the match. Power was assessed at three time periods: 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after the match. The differences in muscle soreness scores between the two groups were analysed using repeated measure ANOVA. The results indicated that both KT and SM had a significant effect on pain scale (PS), range of motion (ROM), and power (PWR) between the four-time periods (p<0.05). However, there is no significant difference in effect between KT and SM. SM and KT reduced the pain, increased range of motion, and increased power because massage generated a sense of relaxation and alleviated pain. While kinesiology tape activates inhibitory interneurons, effectively blocking pain signals carried by A-delta and C-fibres, it alleviates pain. In conclusion, KT and SM are effective to reduce muscle soreness and increase muscular power among football players.