Does Kinesio tape really work?

Adhesive tape stuck on the skin seems an improbable remedy for cycling-related aches and pains — but it’s growing in popularity. Does kinesiology tape really work? Tom Goom and David Bradford weigh the claims against the evidence

(Image credit: Yuzuru Sunada)

Why are many cyclists, even some pros, festooning their limbs with gaudily-coloured sticky tape?

No, they’re not patching up improbably shaped crash wounds; they’re attempting to alleviate muscular injuries and improve performance. The material in question is called kinesiology tape and is not, in fact, a recent innovation; it was developed 30 years ago by Japanese chiropractor Dr Kenzo Kase.

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