Strong Kinesio Taping and Shoulder Performance (StrongKinesio)

August 22, 2026 updated by: Nazli Cigercioglu, Hacettepe University

Acute Effects of Strong Kinesio Taping on Shoulder Isokinetic Performance in Professional Basketball Players

This study evaluated the immediate effects of Strong Kinesio Taping on shoulder muscle performance in professional male basketball players. The study used a randomized crossover design in which each participant completed three experimental conditions: Strong Kinesio Taping, sham taping, and no taping. The testing sessions were separated by a 72-hour washout period.

During each session, the internal and external rotator muscle performance of the dominant shoulder was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 60°/s and 240°/s. The main outcomes were peak torque and total work of the shoulder internal and external rotator muscles. The external-to-internal rotator strength ratio was also evaluated to determine whether taping affected the balance between these muscle groups.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This randomized, sham-controlled, repeated-measures crossover study was designed to investigate the immediate effects of Strong Kinesio Taping on shoulder isokinetic muscle performance in professional male basketball players. Each participant completed three experimental conditions in a randomized order: Strong Kinesio Taping, sham taping, and no taping. Consecutive testing sessions were separated by a 72-hour washout period to minimize possible carryover effects. Because each participant underwent all three conditions, participants served as their own controls.

Professional male basketball players who regularly participated in training and competition were assessed for eligibility. Participants were required to be free from shoulder pain or injury at the time of testing. Individuals with a history of shoulder surgery, neurological disorders, or musculoskeletal conditions affecting upper-extremity function were excluded. Before participation, all athletes received written and verbal information about the study procedures and provided written informed consent.

At each testing session, participants completed a standardized upper-extremity warm-up and familiarization contractions before the isokinetic assessment. Strong Kinesio Taping was applied to the dominant shoulder using a supraspinatus muscle inhibition technique and a glenohumeral mechanical correction technique. Sham taping was applied using the same tape material but without therapeutic tension or application principles intended to influence muscle function. In the no-taping condition, participants underwent the same testing procedures without tape application.

Shoulder internal and external rotator muscle performance was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. Participants were tested in a seated position with the shoulder at 90 degrees of abduction, the elbow at 90 degrees of flexion, and the forearm in a neutral position. The trunk and shoulder were stabilized, and the dynamometer axis was aligned with the axis of glenohumeral rotation.

Testing was performed at angular velocities of 60 degrees per second and 240 degrees per second. Participants completed five maximal repetitions at 60 degrees per second and 15 maximal repetitions at 240 degrees per second. A standardized rest period was provided between the two testing velocities.

The primary outcome measures were peak torque and total work of the shoulder internal and external rotator muscles at each angular velocity. The external-to-internal rotator strength ratio was evaluated as a secondary outcome to determine whether the taping conditions affected the relative balance between the shoulder rotator muscle groups.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
26

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Kagithane
      • Istanbul, Kagithane, Turkey (Türkiye), 34408
        • Atlas University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • active participation in professional basketball competition,
  • regular training participation
  • absence of shoulder pain or injury at the time of testing.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • a history of shoulder surgery,
  • neurological disorders,
  • any musculoskeletal condition affecting upper-extremity function

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Strong KT-Sham-No Taping Sequence
Participants received Strong Kinesio Taping during the first testing session, sham taping during the second testing session, and no taping during the third testing session. Consecutive sessions were separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Other: Strong Kinesio Taping
A 5-cm-wide Strong Kinesio Tape was applied to the dominant shoulder by a certified Kinesio Taping practitioner. The application included a supraspinatus muscle inhibition technique with approximately 10%-15% tape tension from insertion to origin and a glenohumeral mechanical correction technique with approximately 50%-75% tape tension from the anterior to the posterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint. Shoulder isokinetic performance was assessed following the tape application.
Other: Sham Taping
The same tape material was applied to the dominant shoulder without therapeutic tension and without application principles intended to facilitate muscle activation or provide mechanical correction. Participants subsequently underwent the same standardized isokinetic testing protocol.
Other: No Taping
No tape was applied to the dominant shoulder. Participants completed the same standardized warm-up, familiarization, and isokinetic testing procedures used during the taping conditions.
Experimental: Strong KT-No Taping-Sham Sequence
Participants received Strong Kinesio Taping during the first testing session, no taping during the second testing session, and sham taping during the third testing session. Consecutive sessions were separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Other: Strong Kinesio Taping
A 5-cm-wide Strong Kinesio Tape was applied to the dominant shoulder by a certified Kinesio Taping practitioner. The application included a supraspinatus muscle inhibition technique with approximately 10%-15% tape tension from insertion to origin and a glenohumeral mechanical correction technique with approximately 50%-75% tape tension from the anterior to the posterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint. Shoulder isokinetic performance was assessed following the tape application.
Other: Sham Taping
The same tape material was applied to the dominant shoulder without therapeutic tension and without application principles intended to facilitate muscle activation or provide mechanical correction. Participants subsequently underwent the same standardized isokinetic testing protocol.
Other: No Taping
No tape was applied to the dominant shoulder. Participants completed the same standardized warm-up, familiarization, and isokinetic testing procedures used during the taping conditions.
Experimental: Sham-Strong KT-No Taping Sequence
Participants received sham taping during the first testing session, Strong Kinesio Taping during the second testing session, and no taping during the third testing session. Consecutive sessions were separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Other: Strong Kinesio Taping
A 5-cm-wide Strong Kinesio Tape was applied to the dominant shoulder by a certified Kinesio Taping practitioner. The application included a supraspinatus muscle inhibition technique with approximately 10%-15% tape tension from insertion to origin and a glenohumeral mechanical correction technique with approximately 50%-75% tape tension from the anterior to the posterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint. Shoulder isokinetic performance was assessed following the tape application.
Other: Sham Taping
The same tape material was applied to the dominant shoulder without therapeutic tension and without application principles intended to facilitate muscle activation or provide mechanical correction. Participants subsequently underwent the same standardized isokinetic testing protocol.
Other: No Taping
No tape was applied to the dominant shoulder. Participants completed the same standardized warm-up, familiarization, and isokinetic testing procedures used during the taping conditions.
Experimental: Sham-No Taping-Strong KT Sequence
Participants received sham taping during the first testing session, no taping during the second testing session, and Strong Kinesio Taping during the third testing session. Consecutive sessions were separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Other: Strong Kinesio Taping
A 5-cm-wide Strong Kinesio Tape was applied to the dominant shoulder by a certified Kinesio Taping practitioner. The application included a supraspinatus muscle inhibition technique with approximately 10%-15% tape tension from insertion to origin and a glenohumeral mechanical correction technique with approximately 50%-75% tape tension from the anterior to the posterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint. Shoulder isokinetic performance was assessed following the tape application.
Other: Sham Taping
The same tape material was applied to the dominant shoulder without therapeutic tension and without application principles intended to facilitate muscle activation or provide mechanical correction. Participants subsequently underwent the same standardized isokinetic testing protocol.
Other: No Taping
No tape was applied to the dominant shoulder. Participants completed the same standardized warm-up, familiarization, and isokinetic testing procedures used during the taping conditions.
Experimental: No Taping-Strong KT-Sham Sequence
Participants received no taping during the first testing session, Strong Kinesio Taping during the second testing session, and sham taping during the third testing session. Consecutive sessions were separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Other: Strong Kinesio Taping
A 5-cm-wide Strong Kinesio Tape was applied to the dominant shoulder by a certified Kinesio Taping practitioner. The application included a supraspinatus muscle inhibition technique with approximately 10%-15% tape tension from insertion to origin and a glenohumeral mechanical correction technique with approximately 50%-75% tape tension from the anterior to the posterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint. Shoulder isokinetic performance was assessed following the tape application.
Other: Sham Taping
The same tape material was applied to the dominant shoulder without therapeutic tension and without application principles intended to facilitate muscle activation or provide mechanical correction. Participants subsequently underwent the same standardized isokinetic testing protocol.
Other: No Taping
No tape was applied to the dominant shoulder. Participants completed the same standardized warm-up, familiarization, and isokinetic testing procedures used during the taping conditions.
Experimental: No Taping-Sham-Strong KT Sequence
Participants received no taping during the first testing session, sham taping during the second testing session, and Strong Kinesio Taping during the third testing session. Consecutive sessions were separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Other: Strong Kinesio Taping
A 5-cm-wide Strong Kinesio Tape was applied to the dominant shoulder by a certified Kinesio Taping practitioner. The application included a supraspinatus muscle inhibition technique with approximately 10%-15% tape tension from insertion to origin and a glenohumeral mechanical correction technique with approximately 50%-75% tape tension from the anterior to the posterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint. Shoulder isokinetic performance was assessed following the tape application.
Other: Sham Taping
The same tape material was applied to the dominant shoulder without therapeutic tension and without application principles intended to facilitate muscle activation or provide mechanical correction. Participants subsequently underwent the same standardized isokinetic testing protocol.
Other: No Taping
No tape was applied to the dominant shoulder. Participants completed the same standardized warm-up, familiarization, and isokinetic testing procedures used during the taping conditions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
External Rotator Peak Torque at 60°/s
Time Frame: Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Peak torque of the dominant shoulder external rotator muscles was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at an angular velocity of 60°/s. Peak torque was recorded in Newton-meters (Nm). Higher values indicate greater maximal external rotator muscle strength.
Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Internal Rotator Peak Torque at 60°/s
Time Frame: Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Peak torque of the dominant shoulder internal rotator muscles was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at an angular velocity of 60°/s. Peak torque was recorded in Newton-meters (Nm). Higher values indicate greater maximal internal rotator muscle strength.
Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
External Rotator Total Work at 60°/s
Time Frame: Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Total work performed by the dominant shoulder external rotator muscles across five maximal repetitions was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at an angular velocity of 60°/s. Total work was recorded in joules (J). Higher values indicate greater cumulative external rotator work.
Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Internal Rotator Total Work at 60°/s
Time Frame: Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Total work performed by the dominant shoulder internal rotator muscles across five maximal repetitions was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at an angular velocity of 60°/s. Total work was recorded in joules (J). Higher values indicate greater cumulative internal rotator work.
Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
External Rotator Peak Torque at 240°/s
Time Frame: Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Peak torque of the dominant shoulder external rotator muscles was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at an angular velocity of 240°/s. Peak torque was recorded in Newton-meters (Nm). Higher values indicate greater maximal external rotator muscle performance at high angular velocity.
Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Internal Rotator Peak Torque at 240°/s
Time Frame: Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Peak torque of the dominant shoulder internal rotator muscles was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at an angular velocity of 240°/s. Peak torque was recorded in Newton-meters (Nm). Higher values indicate greater maximal internal rotator muscle performance at high angular velocity.
Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
External Rotator Total Work at 240°/s
Time Frame: Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Total work performed by the dominant shoulder external rotator muscles across 15 maximal repetitions was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at an angular velocity of 240°/s. Total work was recorded in joules (J). Higher values indicate greater cumulative external rotator work.
Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Internal Rotator Total Work at 240°/s
Time Frame: Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
Total work performed by the dominant shoulder internal rotator muscles across 15 maximal repetitions was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at an angular velocity of 240°/s. Total work was recorded in joules (J). Higher values indicate greater cumulative internal rotator work.
Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
External-to-Internal Rotator Peak Torque Ratio at 60°/s
Time Frame: Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
The conventional external-to-internal rotator strength ratio of the dominant shoulder was calculated by dividing external rotator peak torque by internal rotator peak torque and multiplying the result by 100. The ratio was expressed as a percentage (%). It represents the relative strength balance between the shoulder external and internal rotator muscles; higher values do not necessarily indicate a better outcome.
Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
External-to-Internal Rotator Peak Torque Ratio at 240°/s
Time Frame: Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.
The conventional external-to-internal rotator strength ratio of the dominant shoulder was calculated by dividing external rotator peak torque by internal rotator peak torque and multiplying the result by 100. The ratio was expressed as a percentage (%). It represents the relative strength balance between the shoulder external and internal rotator muscles; higher values do not necessarily indicate a better outcome.
Immediately following each experimental condition during each of the three testing sessions, with sessions separated by a 72-hour washout period.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Hacettepe University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
January 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 1, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
August 22, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 22, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 26, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 26, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 22, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • Strong kinesio isokinetic
  • Selcuk University (Registry Identifier: Selcuk University)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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