The Misuse Of Athletic Tape
Athletic tape is a staple of physical culture dating back to the ancient Greeks at least; numerous statues show boxers and wrestlers with bandaged hands and wrists. Today’s gyms appear to operate on the general guideline that the more hard-core it is, the more people you will see sporting athletic tape! This is there’s a long tradition of its use in physical culture. Dancers, acrobats, wrestlers, runners – everyone that trains competitively is not only informed about the tape but most likely uses it regularly.
Regrettably, many “gym tourists,” dilettantes who typically sign up in January and drop out by March, also sport athletic tape. Which is too bad not only because it makes a fashion accessory out of what is used in earnest by the professionals, but since it may lend newcomers an unwarranted sense of confidence and ironically increase their potential for injury.
Athletes tape up their joints and, less often, other body parts for support. But as with any other piece of equipment or aide, it could be improperly used because of ignorance and actually hinder, not help, or even hurt in some instances. The reason being there can be a fine line between supporting a part of the body and constricting it. For instance, gymnasts often tape up their ankles, but somebody that doesn’t understand what they are doing may bind the joint too tightly, making it immobile and neutralizing its shock absorbing capabilities.
Tape is usually used by athletes performing movements that involve tremendous explosive forces. Properly placed tape will help direct these forces in an optimal fashion or channel them in a disastrous manner. As with anything involving your state of health, from exercise itself to workout paraphernalia, be sure to conduct the most thorough of research, including the consultation of qualified professionals.