What is Atheletic Tape
This is especially used in areas of the body near joints, such as ankles, wrists, and hands. This added support can help prevent sprains, breaks, or other injuries that may occur from exercise and competitive sports. Athletes also use less restrictive tape to help prevent injuries. Sports tape is stronger, stickier, and reduces the available range of motion available at a joint more than K tape. It is the best choice for hypermobile joints or active injuries. The use of an underwrap can be beneficial in reducing irritation with the skin.
Differences between Kinesiology Tape and Atheletic Tape
Sometimes kinesiology tape is
confused with athletic tape (despite
the athletic tape almost always coming
only in a bland, white color) – but these
two tools are actually quite opposite of
each other. The athletic tape actually should
only be used in cases where you want to restrict
movement; it is thick, non-stretchy, and usually
used to tightly wrap an area. While it also supports
your joints, it should be used only short term. The
type of compression this tape uses actually restricts
the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids.
Kinesiology tape is water-resistant, so it can endure even showers and other moisture contacts. It is strong enough that you may be able to use the same tape application for three to five days without irritating the skin or underlying structures. Kinesiology tape allows you to have a normal range of motion while still providing support.
In contrast, the athletic tape should only be applied a short time before an activity, and removed immediately after the activity, to ensure no further damage is done to the area. It is not water-proof, and the retained moisture it can trap will irritate the skin if left too long. Just the adhesive itself can cause irritation – so, instead of being applied directly onto the skin, it is often advised to use a non-adhesive pre-wrap between the tape and the skin.
