Uniforms aren't the only things trending at this year's Olympics. For
those of you who've watched a few clips of the 2012 Olympics, you may
have noticed the athletes sporting a peculiar new trend in athletic
gear.
See this is neon-coloured athletic tape wrapped around the taut muscles of some of the world's best athletes? The thick stripes can be found in bright blue, pink, black or beige, and cover everything from shoulders and backs to abs and quads.
So what's the deal with the colorful adhesive? It's actually called Kinesio tape, invented by Japanese chiropractor and acupuncturist Dr. Kenzo Kase. Unlike other traditional sports tapes, Kinesio tape is said to reduce pain and supports muscles without restricting movement.
The special tape was developed more than thirty years ago, but only started gaining popularity when it was first sported by Sumo wrestlers at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Sales are said to have risen by up to 300%!
So does the sticky stuff really give these athletes a physical edge? Some think it has more of a placebo effect, and there's currently no firm scientific data to show that it has an impact on performance or prevents injuries. How long do you think before all the major sports brands start picking up on this trend?
See this is neon-coloured athletic tape wrapped around the taut muscles of some of the world's best athletes? The thick stripes can be found in bright blue, pink, black or beige, and cover everything from shoulders and backs to abs and quads.
So what's the deal with the colorful adhesive? It's actually called Kinesio tape, invented by Japanese chiropractor and acupuncturist Dr. Kenzo Kase. Unlike other traditional sports tapes, Kinesio tape is said to reduce pain and supports muscles without restricting movement.
The special tape was developed more than thirty years ago, but only started gaining popularity when it was first sported by Sumo wrestlers at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Sales are said to have risen by up to 300%!
So does the sticky stuff really give these athletes a physical edge? Some think it has more of a placebo effect, and there's currently no firm scientific data to show that it has an impact on performance or prevents injuries. How long do you think before all the major sports brands start picking up on this trend?
