The effect of kinesio taping on shooting and upper extremity performance in archery athletes

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of kinesio taping on shooting performance, upper extremity strength, power, endurance, balance and proprioceptive sensation in archery athletes. 10 compound bow archery athletes aged 12-18 were included in the study. After the descriptive information of the athletes was recorded, the first measurements were made. After the first measurements, kinesio taping was performed with muscle fascilitation technique on deltoid and rhomboid muscles in the drawing arm, with muscle fascilitation technique on deltoid and wrist flexors muscles on the bow arm, and muscle fascilitation technique and tendon correction technique on the triceps muscle on the bow arm. The measurements were repeated 45 minutes and 72 hours after the kinesio taping.. Archery shooting performance of athletes was evaluated with Archery Shooting Score Test. Upper extremity muscle strength with Upper Extremity Isometric Muscle Strength Test, upper extremity power with Medicine Ball Throwing Test, upper limb endurance with Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test, upper extremity balance with Upper Quarter Y Balance Test and the sensation of upper extremity proprioception was evaluated with The Laser-Pointer Assisted Angle Reproduction Test. The average age of the athletes participating in the study is 15.9 ± 1.45 years. It was observed that the kinesio taping application in compound bow archery athletes did not affect the archery shooting performance (p>0.05). It was recorded that kinesio taping increased isometric strength and endurance parameters of upper limb (p<0.05). It was shown that kinesio taping application had no effect on upper extremity balance and power parameters (p>0.05). It was found that kinesio taping reduced the sense of upper extremity proprioception at the 90° flexion position of the left side (p<0.05), and did not affect the right side and other angles (p>0.05). As a result of the research, it was determined that kinesio taping does not affect the shooting performance of compound bow archery athletes. It was thought that kinesio taping could improve general performance by increasing some parameters of upper limb performance. Keywords: Archery, Kinesio taping, Shooting performance, Strength, Explosive power, Balance, Endurance, Proprioception