Sports tape is a porous, nonelastic adhesive tape. Although it is lightweight, its high tensile strength makes it ideal for providing firm support and compression when applied to the body. Sports tape has many applications, including supporting the wrists and hands to provide protection and stability and holding medical dressings in place. With its adhesive coating, sports tape easily adheres to an under-wrapping so that bandages stay in place. Some sports tape is designed to stick to the skin, but will not pull the area when taken off, making it ideal for use in first aide. Sports tape can also be wrapped around the handle of various pieces of sporting equipment such as tennis rackets, hockey sticks and baseball bats to provide a stronger grip cushioning that helps resist the shock of impact.
What to Look for
Sports tape is made of cotton or a cotton blended fabric and comes in various color choices. Some sports tape brands are coated with a zinc oxide adhesive and all should come with perforation holes to allow the skin to breathe. Sports tape is treated for moisture resistance, which helps it to remain in place regardless of perspiration or other wet conditions. Look for sports tape that sticks to itself, rather than leaving adhesive residue on the skin, and make sure you buy sports tape that is hypoallergenic. Most sports tape comes in rolls that cover a range of widths and lengths, though 3.8 cm wide and 10 m long is the average dimension. Determine what you will be using your sports tape for before you make your purchase so you can buy the appropriate measurement. Be sure to buy sports tape that tears easily to make it useful on the run.
Common Pitfalls
Sports tape should be treated like a medical bandage. Change the tape frequently, especially if the tape has come in contact with medical dressings. Make sure the area to which you are applying the tape is clean and dry beforehand to get the maximum benefit of the adhesive. Also, be mindful of where you apply the tape, as cheaper versions can leave a sticky residue on the skin.
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