Failure and fatigue characteristics of adhesive athletic tape

Abstract

BRAGG, R. W., J. M. MACMAHON, E. K. OVEROM, S. A. YERBY, G. O. MATHESON, D. R. CARTER, and T. P. ANDRIACCHI. Failure and fatigue characteristics of adhesive athletic tape. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 403–410, 2002. Athletic tape has been commonly reported to lose much of its structural support after 20 min of exercise. Although many studies have addressed the functional performance characteristics of athletic tape, its mechanical properties are poorly understood. This study examines the failure and fatigue properties of several commonly used athletic tapes. A Web-based survey of professional sports trainers was used to select the following three tapes for the study: Zonas (Johnson & Johnson), Leukotape (Beiersdorf), and Jaylastic (Jaybird & Mais). Using a hydraulic material testing system (MTS), eight samples of each tape were compared in three different mechanical tests: load-to-failure, fatigue testing under load control, and fatigue testing under displacement control. Differences in tape microstructure were used to interpret the results of the mechanical tests. Significant differences (P P In understanding the shortcomings of currently available tapes, the results of these tests can now be used as benchmarks with which to compare and develop future tape designs. Ultimately, these improved tapes should reduce ankle injuries among athletes.