An athletic tape is a special kind of bandage that has grown very popular with athletes and people who engage in any kind of sporting activity, especially athletes. Injuries such as wounds and sprains on the ankles are treated using athletic tape.
Athletic tapes are most commonly used on injured arms and wrists, ankles and joints to keep fractures or sprains steady and immobile in order to hasten treatment and at the same time prevent further injury. Other sports people tape it around their palms to improve their grip on the sports tool due to sweaty palms. It can also be taped on sports tools like baseball bats and hockey bats or sticks, also to improve the player’s grip.
There are various types of athletic tapes from which an athlete can choose. However, they are made of different materials; therefore an athlete chooses the type to use depending on several factors such as: the purpose, the desired level of comfort, the amount of support that is required, and the length of time which they need to have it on. The most common types of tapes are:
1. Regular (conventional) tapes: Regular tapes are the kind that is most commonly found in the market. They are used to give support and comfort for only 3 to 4 hours.
2. Adhesive athletic tapes: These are tapes that have adhesive to provide more convenient attaching.
3. Non-adhesive athletic tapes: These tapes do not have adhesives and are therefore tied or taped in order to keep them in place.
4. Cotton athletic tapes: These are made of cotton. They are advantageous in that the skin is able to breathe through the tape while its absorption quality keeps sweat away from the skin.
5. Kinesio athletic tapes (KT): These are the newest type of tapes in the market. It has similar properties as the cotton athletic tapes, but can be used for an extended period of up to 3 days. They are argued to be the best in controlling damage in the injured part where it has been applied.
Using athletic tape is easy. Just cut the required amount and tape it on to the injured part, going in the direction of the limb. Once the area of concentration is secure, wrap some more tape around it firmly but not too tightly in order not prevent normal blood flow. Most tapes are kept on for up to two days before a change is required. However, some factor such as the tape getting dirty can cause you to change more regularly.