Types of Athletic Tape

Whether you are a professional athletic trainer or an average person taping up an injury, it is important to know the different types of athletic tape and which product will help you to achieve the best result. Athletic tape can be used in a wide variety of situations, such as increasing grip on a bat or club, stabilizing a joint or injury or covering a body part to prevent rubbing or injury. Although there are many brands of athletic tape available on the market, this has little to no effect on the product, so you need to focus more on the type of tape and the goal that you are looking to accomplish.

  1. Non-Elastic Adhesive Tape

    • White zinc-oxide athletic tape is the most commonly used type of tape for sports injuries and athletic needs. This product comes in an array of widths to accommodate a variety of uses. The tape is highly adhesive and not flexible, so it is ideal for stabilizing joints. Removal of adhesive tape can be painful if taped to a part of the body that has hair. Therefore, according to Sports Injury Clinic, you should shave the area or apply a foam pre-wrap tape to prevent any discomfort.

    Elastic Adhesive Tape

    • Elastic adhesive tape is a sticky product that is similar to zinc-oxide tape, but it is more flexible because of the elastic component. This tape can be used to tape muscles or areas of the body that need support, but also need to be able to expand and move slightly. Consider using pre-wrap when taping with this product.

    Self-Adherent Tape

    • Self-adherent tape is a nonadhesive tape that will not stick to your skin, but the cohesive tape will adhere to itself. This softer type of tape can be used more for cushioning, compression or finishing off taped areas. Special clips and hooks can be used to ensure that the cohesive tape will stay in place throughout physical exertion.