Along with many other professional sports’ players, Gareth Bale is regularly observed with strips of sports tape on his legs. In November 2010, he was wearing strips of black kinesio tape on his thigh muscles as he gave a Man of the Match performance in Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-1 triumph over the 2010 European Champions, Inter Milan, in the Champions’ League Group A fixture at White Hart Lane last November.
So, what’s the tape on Gareth Bale’s thighs? How does it help him?
Kinesiology, or Kinesio Tape is a super-thin, highly elastic therapeutic tape that is designed to have the same profile and elasticity of skin and is applied with medical grade, heat sensitive acrylic adhesive. The Kinesio method of taping places tape on top of, and around, muscle groups to promote directional stretch and support. Kinesio Tape is also used to increase blood flow to muscles and joints, to soothe overworked muscles and to strengthen weak or fatigued muscles. Kinesio Tape provides compression and promotes healing, without restricting movement. Gareth Bale wears the tape to give his thigh muscles additional support as he sprints past world-class defenders like Inter Milan’s Brazilian full back, Maicon.
Kinesio Tape, worn by other top sports stars like David Beckham, Ashley Cole and Serena Williams, closely supports muscles and joints during everyday, leisure and sports activities. Kinesio Tape, including the 2.5cm Black Kinesio Tape, as worn by Gareth Bale, is available from PhysioRoom.com in a choice of widths and a variety of eye-catching colours.
