Taping and bandaging Taping and bandaging Taping uses adhesive, often rigid, tape, while bandaging uses non-adhesive, often elasticised, bandages. Taping and bandaging are used in sports to prevent injury and assist in injury treatment and rehabilitation.

Preventative taping Taping or strapping for injury prevention (known as prophylactic taping) involves the application of non-elastic adhesive tape that provides support and restricts any excessive movement that might result in injury.

Examples include: Volleyball and Australian football— Players often have their fingers taped to prevent dislocation and other tissue damage. Basketball and netball—Players tape their ankles to prevent ligament sprains and tears. Preventative taping

Guidelines The following guidelines should be followed for effective preventative taping: Refer to handout

Use tape that is the correct width and length for the body part. Avoid the use of elasticised bandages as they do not provide effective support. Ensure both the player and the person applying the tape are in a comfortable position. The person applying the tape must pull it from the roll and not use the player’s limb as an anchor. Maintain an even pressure when applying the tape—if the tape is too tight, circulation can be restricted; if too loose, it will be ineffective. Maintain uniform application of the tape by overlapping the previous tape by about a half of the width on each turn. Once the tape is applied, ensure that circulation is not being restricted. Remove taping immediately after training or playing.

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Taping for isolation of injury One of the major aims of taping is to limit movement, or allow only limited movement.

Taping for immediate treatment of injury As well as being used for rehabilitation, taping is used in the immediate treatment of injury. The most common uses of taping for immediate treatment of injury are:  to control bleeding and prevent infection  to apply pressure that will reduce swelling  to immobilise and support an injured part.