RockTape, a leading kinesiology tape manufacturer, is in the forefront of kinesiology taping education for health professionals. Unlike other kinesiology taping protocols that focus exclusively on therapeutic applications, Rock Tape teaches both fascial movement taping techniques for therapeutic purposes and PowerTaping for sports performance enhancement. This creates a double benefit for athletes and those who treat them – they can use the therapeutic applications for injuries and the sports performance techniques for training and competition.
As part of their ongoing Continuing Professional Education program, RockTape is offering a new Fascial Movement Taping certification program in 2012. Targeted to therapists and other practitioners who are new to kinesiology taping, this in-depth, 2 day program covers both the theoretical and practical aspects of fascial movement applications for athletic performance and rehabilitation. An added bonus is coverage of insurance coding, billing and marketing for kinesiology taping modalities.
Fascial Movement Taping, Part l encompasses the first, full day, and covers :
Fascial Movement Taping, Part ll is held on the second day and includes:
The reference for the course is the RockTape PowerTaping Manual, 2nd Edition. This comprehensive 117 page reference guide covers all aspects of kinesiology taping, and includes over 70 color photos and illustrations. An additional training product designed for busy clinicians is The Patient Education and Desktop Reference Tool, with quick instructions for the 25 most-popular taping applications.
For more information about kinesiology taping training for clinicians, visit the Health Professional’s Resource page in the TheraTape Education Center.
When it comes to kinesiology taping for athletic performance enhancement, RockTape leads the field. And, if podium results are any indication, RockTape’s cutting-edge PowerTaping protocol could become part of the pre-competition preparation of all champion athletes.
So far this year, Rock Tape athletes have reached the podium over 75 times and have amassed a total of 17 National Titles. Much of RockTape’s initial success was in cycling, but as the following list demonstrates, athletes in any sport can benefit from both PowerTaping for performance enhancement and/or therapeutic taping for injuries.
Mara Abbott – 1st, 2010 US Nat’l Road Racing Championship; 1st, Giro Donne
Megan Guarnier – 1st, 2010 Tour de Nez
Kaitie Antonneau – 1st, 2010 US Collegiate National Track Championship, Omnium; 2nd, 2010 US Jr National Road Championships
Sinead Miller – 1st, U23 2010 US Road National Championship; 1st, U23 2010 US National Time Trial Championship
Olivia Dillon – 1st, Irish National Championship
Ruth Winder, Cari Higgins, Hanan Alves-Hyde – 1st, 2010 US National Elite Track Championship, Team Pursuit
Cari Higgins – 2010 US National Elite Track Championship: 1st 500m; 2nd Omnium; 3rd Points Race
Hanan Alves-Hyde – 2010 US National Elite Track Championship: 2nd, Points Race; 4th Omnium
Beth Newell – 4th, 2010 US National Elite Track Championship, Scratch Race
Daniel Holloway – 1st, 2010 U.S. Professional Criterium Championship, Gateway cup winner
Jackson Stewart – 2nd, Tour de Beauce, Stage 6
Tejay Van Garderen – 2nd, Tour of Turkey
Ian Moir – 1st, 2010 US Elite National Track Championship, Madison
Coryn Rivera – US Jr. Road National Championship: 1st, TT; 1st, Road; 1st, Crit; US Jr. Track National Championship: 1st, Keirin; 1st, Points; 1st, Sprint; 1st, Team Sprint; 3rd, Junior World Track and Road Championships
Daniel Farinha – 2nd, 2010 US Jr. National Championship, Madison
Ruth Winder – US Jr. National Championship: 1st, Flying TT; 3rd, Team Sprint; 2nd, Scratch; 2nd, Points
John Tomlinson – US Jr. National Championship: 2nd, Flying TT; 2nd, Points
Philip OʼDonnell – US Jr. National Road Championship: 1st, Road; 1st Crit; 2nd TT
Suzy McCulloch – 1st, 2010 Diamondman Half Ironman
Cogen Nelson – qualified at US Triathlon Nationals to represent Team USA in Beijing
Derrick Ng – 2nd, 2010 Canadian Championship, U23
Wouter Hebbrecht – 1st, 2009 World Championship Inline Speed Skating
As word spreads, more successful athletes are choosing to become RockTape athletes. The most recent addition is
2012 decathlon hopeful, Ryan Beckwith. a former CIF 4x100m relay champion who runs the 100m in 10.48 and vaults a 17ʼ5”.
“RockTape” and “PowerTaping” have been all the buzz lately, ever since NBC profiled these exciting new kinesiology taping products during their coverage of the Winter Olympics. My last post featured an overview of RockTape, also referred to as Power Tape, plus a video of the NBC segment.
Going hand-in-hand with RockTape is an innovative new kinesiology taping method called PowerTaping. Rather than taping an isolated joint or muscle group, PowerTaping protocol focuses on the entire chain of joints, muscles, fascia and nervous system components responsible for specific movement patterns. The result? Improved efficiency of movement, structural reinforcement of correct motor patterns, and improved fluid dynamics, which all contribute to reduced fatigue, faster recovery and improved biomechanical function.
» Delayed onset of fatigue
» More rapid recovery
» Improved flexibility/range of motion in tight muscles
» Relief of swelling, edema and bruising
» Stronger activation of weak, injured or imbalanced muscle groups
» Regained coordination in weak or injured muscle groups
» Correction of balance insufficiencies
» Regained speed after injury or overuse
» Enhanced muscle activation (timing)
» Relief from muscle inhibition following injury or overuse
The image above illustrates one of the possible sport-specific movement chains for cycling. The upper body taping reduces fatigue and muscle vibration in the shoulders, upper arms, forearms and wrists – areas that fatigue in events such as time trials.
Note: The PowerTaping Manual is written for sports practitioners, and demonstrates how to apply RockTape power tape to increase athletic performance. It also provides an overview of the science behind the protocol.
RockTape Active Recovery Tape is an exciting new sports tape–an upgraded version of kinesiology tape designed to enhance athletic performance. Yes, it still has all the therapeutic benefits of traditional kinesiology tape—relief of pain, reduction of inflammation, and support for injured tissues—but for RockTape, these are just a jumping-off point.
Highly-trained triathletes, distance runners and competitive cyclists who have worn RockTape have experienced greater endurance during training and competition, followed by a more rapid recovery. Whereas other kinesiology tapes are primarily used by injured athletes, the benefits of RockTape are equally impressive for healthy athletes. This makes RockTape the first true performance tape.
Several key modifications have been made to the composition of the tape that are directly responsible for the performance-enhancing benefits that many RockTape converts have experienced.
1. Greater Elasticity
2. Enhanced Lifting Ability
3. Tighter Weave
4. Greater “Snap Back”
5. Patented Adhesive Pattern
Each of these enhancements is beneficial on its own, but combined, they become a safe, simple, legal method of enhancing athletic performance. Rock on!
My next post will examine each of these features in greater detail.
In the last year and a half, kinesiology taping has become one of the favorite therapeutic modalities for athletic trainers, physical therapists, chiropractors and pain management specialists. Its ability to rapidly relieve pain and reduce inflammation has made it especially popular as an athletic tape for injured athletes. Recently, an exciting new application for kinesiology tape has been introduced to the athletic community – taping for PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT.
A new brand of kinesiology tape called RockTape has been engineered with the specific goal of enhancing athletic performance. The unique properties of the tape, combined with an innovative taping method called PowerTaping, allow it to delay the onset of fatigue and improve muscle activation during athletic activities.
Already a favorite with high level triathletes and competitive cyclists, watch for RockTape to begin appearing in upcoming marathons, cycling events and Ironman events.
And, don’t worry, you’ll know it when you see it, because RockTape is also rapidly becoming a fashion trend setter in the athletic tape industry. In addition to coming in the traditional kinesiology tape colors of black, blue, pink and beige, RockTape is available in patterns such as biohazard, the RockTape logo and a black and white cow motif. A wider assortment of colors includes green, navy and new “IM” tape in white and yellow, designed to be written on. The IM tape is being used to write competitor numbers and race information in triathlons, as well as messages of encouragement from friends and family.
Watch for upcoming posts with additional details about what makes RockTape different and how it works to enhance athletic performance.