Rheological Properties of Medical Tapes Used to Prevent Athletic Injuries

Abstract

The rheological properties of the medical tapes most commonly used in Sweden were examined. The breaking force (75 N/cm of width) is comparable for all the tapes, but the Young modulus, relaxation, and fatigue properties vary. The breaking strength of the tapes after the taping procedure reaches only 10% of the breaking strength of the Anterior talofibular ligament (one of the ligaments on the outside of the ankle). A table shows the different tape results; furthermore, a method is described which makes it possible to shorten the time required to perform fatigue tests on textile tapes.