Athletes in sports like boxing, rock climbing, and rugby typically use sports tape on different parts of their bodies. These include their shoulders, backs, legs, arms, and hands. Using sports strapping tape on these parts supports joints, minimizes pain and swelling, and increases physical activity, helping athletes to function at their best without jeopardizing their safety.
Depending on the athlete’s needs, several types of sports tape should be utilized. Some sports tapes are incredibly adaptable and stretchy, permitting the wearer a
greater range of movement. In contrast, others are made of frictional materials that immobilize joints during playing and give full protection.
In addition to its various physical benefits, sports tapes have a positive psychological influence on the user. Taping particular body parts might give psychological stimulation, reminding the user of crucial duties like maintaining proper posture. Taping in a given direction may subconsciously encourage the user to engage in certain behaviors. Psychologically, pain can be reduced by sensory bombardment, which occurs when the body’s attention is directed away from the source of the pain.
Let’s go through the different types of sports tape available and how to apply them.
- Kinesiology Tape
Kinesiology tape is applied to injured joints or muscles to provide comfort, stability, and pain reduction. It differs from traditional strapping tape in that it allows full-body motion while providing dynamic support.
Kinesiology tape functions as a second skin, allowing for a greater flow of blood and expediting the healing process after minor injuries. Its porous, thin shape is great for people with sensitive skin, and the lined backing paper makes application and removal effortless.
A kinesiology tape reduces swelling-related discomfort by elevating the skin and inserting itself between the dermis layer and the tissues beneath.
This additional room also allows the lymphatic system to flow easily, eliminating waste and toxins as it speeds up healing.
Hampton Adams Kinesiology 16ft Tape is a well-known sports tape that gives wounded athletes a shot at performing. This simple tape can be used more than after its first usage, allowing athletes to heal actively without limiting the wearer’s energy or flexibility. Whatever you do, this athletic tape will remain there for several days without causing irritation or leaving a sticky residue on your skin. Its synthetic fabric is stretchy, comfortable, and easy to put on.
Uses of Kinesiology Tape
- To reduce swelling and relieve injured muscles and joints.
- To aid recovery by increasing lymphatic and blood circulation.
- To provide gentle support that allows the body to move freely while guiding the user to exert caution around healing regions.
- If necessary, it can act as a protective barrier and “second skin.”
Features of Kinesiology Tape
- It is the primary choice of physical therapists — Healthcare practitioners and sports medicine specialists worldwide use this product.
- Durable and dependable — This Kinesio tape is stretchy, water and sweat-resistant, and will stay put no matter what.
- Easy to use – Simply insert the tape where needed; it leaves no mess or tacky residue behind.
- Latex-free and hypoallergenic — Made in a medical-grade facility, this therapeutic and medical adhesive tape is safe to use on delicate skin.
- Self-adhesive Bandage
The self-adhesive tape has been developed in various medical fields throughout the years. It’s been around for a long time as a first-aid bandage, but it’s especially useful in veterinary medicine, where the lack of an adhesive makes wrapping a wounded animal for compression considerably harder. Vet Wrap or Co-Flex are typical names for them.
A self-adhesive wrap is a multipurpose tape every athlete should have in their kit bag. These bandages are unique in that they stick to each other instead of the skin or hairs. They’re quite stretchy, allowing the physiotherapist to choose from various compression levels while taping an ankle or other parts of the body.
Hampton Adams Self Adhesive wrap is a versatile sports tape that can be reused and reconfigured numerous times for different ranges of tightness and pressure. It’s appropriate for usage in the field, in hospitals, and in veterinary clinics.
Uses of Self-adhesive Bandage
- It’s occasionally used as a gauze to control blood flow in wounded athletes. However, it’s important to first treat open wounds before applying any sports tape to them.
- It is used to stabilize the fingers, hands, and other body parts in hospitals and veterinary clinics.
- It steadies bandages or dressings and keeps wounds safe throughout activities.
- They also help to reduce swelling from sprains and strains.
Features of Self-adhesive Bandage
- Safe to use – Each individually packaged roll is made in a proper and safe grade facility comparable to the same high standards maintained in hospitals and clinics around the country.
- Easy on the skin – This tape is simple to apply and remove and won’t tear your hair or injure your flesh. It isn’t just latex-free but also comprises hypoallergenic materials.
- May be used on pets – This clean, non-elastic bandage can also be used as a vet wrap for dogs and other animals.
- Odorless – It adheres to your skin without leaving an odor or sticky residue, which is especially beneficial if you have delicate skin.
- Athletic Tape
Athletic tape, available in various thicknesses, lengths, and colors, is used occasionally to treat or heal joint, bone, and muscle injuries. Some are particularly well suited to a certain body part, like the wrist, knee, or foot.
Athletic tape comes in two varieties: elastic and non-elastic. The former often has a self-adhesive back that makes it easy to attach. Its adaptability allows it to be utilized on many muscle groups, including the hamstring muscle in the back of the leg. The elastic tape also helps circulation and movement in the region of an injury.
Non-elastic athletic tape is occasionally used to prevent or remedy damage done to the bones or joints. This tape is less flexible, yet it can still conform to the body’s curves. It is typically used in places that require a lot of support, such as the ankles.
Hampton Adams 3-Pack of White Athletic Tape is a sports tape with good adhesion that may be used for long periods. It easily adheres to your skin and dries rapidly, conserving time. It also leaves no trace on your skin after removal, which can irritate your skin and make cleaning up more difficult.
Uses of Athletic Tape
- It can act as a bandage to help with strains and sprains.
- It can also be used for bandaging hot and cold packs.
- Also used in edema management and bleeding control.
- For binding sports equipment
Features of Athletic Tape
- No glue on your skin – Our 3 Pack of tape was created with a specific mix to ensure that it reels easily—ideal for weightlifters, rock climbers, and
boxers.
- Durable and strong – Our tape is extremely strong, so no tape cutters are required. Simply wrap, squeeze, and rip your way through your workout. When it comes to stiff athletic tape, you’ll be astonished at how much difference quality can make.
- Incredibly sticky – Fed up with sloppy tape? Our quality adhesive tape adheres as it should. Suitable on bats, Lacrosse sticks, and hockey sticks.
- High-grade material – Our adhesive tape is 100% cotton, ideal for physiotherapists and clinicians.
- Elastic Wrap Bandages
EAB tape is mostly preferred for intermediate support. In simpler terms, an Elastic Adhesive Bandage is useful for giving extra support or for managing muscle strains and injuries by compressing them. Elastic adhesive bandages, as opposed to firm tapes, give additional stretch, allowing for better movement and adherence to the body.
Hampton Adams 6-Pack Hook & Loop Elastic Bandage Wrap provides players with the compression needed to swiftly stabilize damaged knees, ankles, and muscles (and even post-surgery wounds). It functions more effectively than slouching cotton elastic bandages that lose tightness or outdated clips that pinch the skin and pop off during gameplay.
Uses of Elastic Wrap Bandages
- It is used for physically demanding games. It protects joints, ligaments, and tendons by offering stabilization and support.
- Athletes who tape their thumbs do it frequently. Thumb taping means bracing the thumbs and hands when lifting heavy objects and relieving injured thumbs.
- It prevents Cauliflower Ear, caused by repeated blunt impacts to the ear in sports like rugby. Putting on elastic bandage wraps safeguards rugby players’ ears when playing.
- To relieve sprains and strains by applying compression.
Features of Elastic Wrap Bandages
- Advanced compression weave – Hampton Adams designed this compression bandage for tough workouts, which is why the innovative compression weave remains in place, to help mend muscles and tendons without blocking off circulation, providing you with all-day pain relief.
- Mobile hook and clip fasteners – If you’ve had it with outdated metal and plastic clips that fold in half, crack, and break when utilized, then you should buy our elastic wraps that come with mobile hooks and loop fasteners
- Some sports tapes are crucial because of how they should be wrapped. Certain tapes may be tailored for a certain use, while others may need to be adjusted to meet your specific requirements. You might risk cutting off blood supply to important body regions or exercising on sensitive, damaged joints if you use the wrong sports tape. Contact us at Hampton Adams if you’re not sure which sort of sports tape you require.