SoccerNCT07421583
Acute Effects of Kinesiology Taping on Performance in Soccer Players
A study testing Kinesiology Taping in people with Soccer and Kinesiology Taping, run by Halic University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Kinesiological taping, frequently used today for the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and to support athlete performance, has become a popular technique in the field of sports science. However, scientific evidence on the short-term effects of this application on athletes is limited. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 14 to 18 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Soccer, Kinesiology Taping, Functional Performance
- What is being tested?
- Kinesiology Taping
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 24 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2026to 29 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 14 to 18 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- The participant must be a volunteer and have agreed to participate with a consent form.
- The participant must be between 14-18 years of age.
- The participant must have been a licensed soccer player for at least one year.
Who cannot join
- The participant must not wish to participate in the study.
- The participant must have a history of lower extremity injury in the last 12 months.
- The participant must have a severe cardiopulmonary, orthopedic, or neurological disease.
- The participant must have physical discomforts such as severe dizziness.
- The participant must have reported sensitivity to kinesiological tape.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Acute Effects of Kinesiology Taping on Functional Performance in Soccer Players: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial
Kinesiological taping, frequently used today for the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and to support athlete performance, has become a popular technique in the field of sports science. However, scientific evidence on the short-term effects of this application on athletes is limited. In this context, the aim of this study is to evaluate the acute changes in functional performance parameters such as speed, agility, and explosive power in football players who underwent kinesiological taping.
The aim of this study is to examine the acute effects of kinesiological taping on agility, speed, and lower extremity explosive power in football players. Participants aged 14-18 years who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized into kinesiological tape (n:12) and sham tape (n:12) groups using a closed envelope method. The T-Agility Test will be used for agility, the 30 m Sprint Test for speed, and the Standing Long Jump Test for lower extremity explosive power. All participants will perform agility, speed, and explosive power tests after the same warm-up program. Following the initial assessment, participants will undergo quadriceps muscle technique using kinesiological taping and sham taping by the same physiotherapist. Tests will be repeated immediately after the tapes are applied. The findings are expected to provide information on the potential of kinesiological taping to contribute to short-term performance improvement in soccer players and its effects on preventing sports injuries.
Read the detailed description
Kinesiological taping, also known as elastic bandaging, is a treatment method developed by Kenzo Kase in 1973. Kinesiological tape (KT) application is a technique aimed at improving muscle function by strengthening weakened muscles, providing cutaneous stimulation that facilitates or restricts movement, reducing edema by directing fluid to lymphatic channels and lymph nodes, correcting joint position to alleviate muscle spasms, and reducing pain through neural pathways.
Sports and functional performance, which is the result of the interaction of many mental and physical factors, includes fundamental components such as jumping, strength, endurance, and flexibility. One of the most important factors for improving and maximizing athletic performance is the development of physical abilities. With the increasing use of KT among both elite and amateur athletes in recent years, studies on the effect of KT on sports performance have also increased, but different results have been reported.
Although KT has shown various effects on sports injuries, pain reduction, range of motion, and muscle strength, the results of studies on performance determinants are contradictory. A review of the literature reveals uncertainty regarding the application method and mechanisms of action of KT. It is noteworthy that inconsistencies exist. Therefore, further studies and evidence are needed to confirm the effectiveness of kinesiological taping.
Therefore, one of the aims of our study is to contribute to the literature by investigating the effectiveness of kinesiological taping. Additionally, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of a methodology addressing the confusion and uncertainty surrounding parameters such as the application method and tension of the taping technique, and to provide data based on the literature regarding the application method and results of kinesiological taping techniques.
- Conditions
- Soccer, Kinesiology Taping, Functional Performance
- Being tested
- Kinesiology Taping, Sham Taping
- Keywords
- soccer player, kinesiology taping, performance, taping
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Kinesiology TapingOther
Quadriceps kinesiology taping using muscle technique.
Sham TapingOther
Sham taping applied to quadriceps (non-therapeutic application) to mimic taping without intended physiological effect.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesio Group | Experimental | Kinesiological taping for participants in the group will be applied using the "muscle technique" method, which aims to facilitate muscle activation. In this technique, the tape is applied with minimal tension (20-30%), directed from proximal to distal or from origin to insertion. The endpoint of the tape is rounded to prevent peeling of the edges and to increase the length of the tape application. During the application, the athlete lies supine on the treatment table, and is expected to bring the relevant muscle into a tense position by hanging the treated extremity over the edge of the bed. In the application, the taping will be performed with the proximal part of the muscle as the origin and the tibial tuberosity region as the endpoint. Receives: Other: Kinesiology Taping |
| Sham Group | Sham comparator | The participants in the group were scheduled to undergo a sham procedure, described as a fake and ineffective application. In this procedure, a KT (tape tape) cut to the same dimensions would be applied ineffectively without any tension or orientation, and the athletes would be blinded to this information. Receives: Other: Sham Taping |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
T-Agility test
The T-test consists of four contact points formed in a T shape in an area 10m long and 10m wide. The aim of this test is to enable the subject to complete a series of tasks in the shortest possible time by moving in different directions and in different ways between these contact points. Unlike other agility tests, the subject always looks in the same direction. The change of direction is done by sliding steps to the right and left or by running backward. The test requires covering a total distance of 40m, consisting of two 90° turns and one 180° turn, as well as 10m forward, 10m to the right, 10m to the left, and 10m backward.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after taping application (within 5 minutes)
30 m Sprint time
The 30-meter sprint test is a sprint assessment designed to measure an athlete's acceleration and maximum speed over a distance of 30 meters. In this test, the athlete starts in a stationary position and completes the 30 meters by sprinting. Times are usually recorded at 10 and 20 meters to allow for analysis of acceleration and speed development during the test.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after taping application (within 5 minutes)
Standing long jump tests
The aim is to jump the furthest possible distance without stepping (explosive power). Participants will stand behind the starting line with their feet shoulder-width apart and will be instructed to push off forcefully and jump as far forward as possible. The participant's feet must land simultaneously, and they must remain upright. The test will be performed twice, and the highest score, i.e., the greatest distance achieved, will be used for analysis. If participants fall backward or touch the ground with any other part of their body, they will be allowed another attempt.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after taping application (within 5 minutes)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2026
- Primary completion1 Apr 2026
- Study completion29 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for SoccerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Halic University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, İrem Çetinkaya, Halic University
- Investigators
- İrem Çetinkaya, PhD, Principal investigator, Haliç University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07421583
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- karanki4
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 10 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Effects of Kinesiology Taping on Functional Performance in Soccer Players: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07421583
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- karanki4
- Conditions
- Soccer, Kinesiology Taping, Functional Performance
- Keywords
- soccer player, kinesiology taping, performance, taping
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Halic UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 29 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Kinesiological taping, frequently used today for the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and to support athlete performance, has become a popular technique in the field of sports science. However, scientific evidence on the short-term effects of this application on athletes is limited. In this context, the aim of this study is to evaluate the acute changes in functional performance parameters such as speed, agility, and explosive power in football players who underwent kinesiological taping.
The aim of this study is to examine the acute effects of kinesiological taping on agility, speed, and lower extremity explosive power in football players. Participants aged 14-18 years who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized into kinesiological tape (n:12) and sham tape (n:12) groups using a closed envelope method. The T-Agility Test will be used for agility, the 30 m Sprint Test for speed, and the Standing Long Jump Test for lower extremity explosive power. All participants will perform agility, speed, and explosive power tests after the same warm-up program. Following the initial assessment, participants will undergo quadriceps muscle technique using kinesiological taping and sham taping by the same physiotherapist. Tests will be repeated immediately after the tapes are applied. The findings are expected to provide information on the potential of kinesiological taping to contribute to short-term performance improvement in soccer players and its effects on preventing sports injuries.
Detailed description
Kinesiological taping, also known as elastic bandaging, is a treatment method developed by Kenzo Kase in 1973. Kinesiological tape (KT) application is a technique aimed at improving muscle function by strengthening weakened muscles, providing cutaneous stimulation that facilitates or restricts movement, reducing edema by directing fluid to lymphatic channels and lymph nodes, correcting joint position to alleviate muscle spasms, and reducing pain through neural pathways.
Sports and functional performance, which is the result of the interaction of many mental and physical factors, includes fundamental components such as jumping, strength, endurance, and flexibility. One of the most important factors for improving and maximizing athletic performance is the development of physical abilities. With the increasing use of KT among both elite and amateur athletes in recent years, studies on the effect of KT on sports performance have also increased, but different results have been reported.
Although KT has shown various effects on sports injuries, pain reduction, range of motion, and muscle strength, the results of studies on performance determinants are contradictory. A review of the literature reveals uncertainty regarding the application method and mechanisms of action of KT. It is noteworthy that inconsistencies exist. Therefore, further studies and evidence are needed to confirm the effectiveness of kinesiological taping.
Therefore, one of the aims of our study is to contribute to the literature by investigating the effectiveness of kinesiological taping. Additionally, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of a methodology addressing the confusion and uncertainty surrounding parameters such as the application method and tension of the taping technique, and to provide data based on the literature regarding the application method and results of kinesiological taping techniques.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesio Group | Experimental | Other: Kinesiology TapingKinesiological taping for participants in the group will be applied using the "muscle technique" method, which aims to facilitate muscle activation. In this technique, the tape is applied with minimal tension (20-30%), directed from proximal to distal or from origin to insertion. The endpoint of the tape is rounded to prevent peeling of the edges and to increase the length of the tape application. During the application, the athlete lies supine on the treatment table, and is expected to bring the relevant muscle into a tense position by hanging the treated extremity over the edge of the bed. In the application, the taping will be performed with the proximal part of the muscle as the origin and the tibial tuberosity region as the endpoint. |
| Sham Group | Sham comparator | Other: Sham TapingThe participants in the group were scheduled to undergo a sham procedure, described as a fake and ineffective application. In this procedure, a KT (tape tape) cut to the same dimensions would be applied ineffectively without any tension or orientation, and the athletes would be blinded to this information. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 14 to 18 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- The participant must be a volunteer and have agreed to participate with a consent form.
- The participant must be between 14-18 years of age.
- The participant must have been a licensed soccer player for at least one year.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- The participant must not wish to participate in the study.
- The participant must have a history of lower extremity injury in the last 12 months.
- The participant must have a severe cardiopulmonary, orthopedic, or neurological disease.
- The participant must have physical discomforts such as severe dizziness.
- The participant must have reported sensitivity to kinesiological tape.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology TapingQuadriceps kinesiology taping using muscle technique. | Other | Kinesio Group |
| Sham TapingSham taping applied to quadriceps (non-therapeutic application) to mimic taping without intended physiological effect. | Other | Sham Group |
Primary outcome
T-Agility test
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after taping application (within 5 minutes)
The T-test consists of four contact points formed in a T shape in an area 10m long and 10m wide. The aim of this test is to enable the subject to complete a series of tasks in the shortest possible time by moving in different directions and in different ways between these contact points. Unlike other agility tests, the subject always looks in the same direction. The change of direction is done by sliding steps to the right and left or by running backward. The test requires covering a total distance of 40m, consisting of two 90° turns and one 180° turn, as well as 10m forward, 10m to the right, 10m to the left, and 10m backward.
30 m Sprint time
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after taping application (within 5 minutes)
The 30-meter sprint test is a sprint assessment designed to measure an athlete's acceleration and maximum speed over a distance of 30 meters. In this test, the athlete starts in a stationary position and completes the 30 meters by sprinting. Times are usually recorded at 10 and 20 meters to allow for analysis of acceleration and speed development during the test.
Standing long jump tests
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after taping application (within 5 minutes)
The aim is to jump the furthest possible distance without stepping (explosive power). Participants will stand behind the starting line with their feet shoulder-width apart and will be instructed to push off forcefully and jump as far forward as possible. The participant's feet must land simultaneously, and they must remain upright. The test will be performed twice, and the highest score, i.e., the greatest distance achieved, will be used for analysis. If participants fall backward or touch the ground with any other part of their body, they will be allowed another attempt.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
İrem Çetinkaya, PhD principal investigator
Haliç University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Kinesiology Taping in people with Soccer and Kinesiology Taping, run by Halic University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
T-Agility test (time frame: Baseline and immediately after taping application (within 5 minutes)). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Aug 2026.