The Effect of Aquatitan Tape on Delayed-onset Muscle Soreness of the Masseter and Skeletal Muscles after Training using a Mouthguard.

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is the sensation of discomfort or pain in the muscles that occurs follow in g unaccustomed muscular exertion. This study investigated the effects of Aquatitan tape (AT tape) on DOMS of the masseter and skeletal muscles after weight-training while wearing a custom-made mouthguard. In this study, 52 right-handed participants applied AT tape on the places they felt pain or fatigue after weight-training, including the masseter, forearm, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and triceps surae muscles. Their muscle pain and discomfort associated with various actions, and the usability of AT tape, were then evaluated. Of the participants, about 50% put AT tape on the masseter, biceps brachii, and triceps brachii muscles. When AT tape was put on the left, non-dominant side, the muscle pain was significantly smaller than when the tape was placed on the right side. About 40% of the participants answered that AT tape improved their symptoms, and about 60% answered that they wanted to use AT tape again. Our findings suggest that AT tape has the potential to reduce muscle pain on the non-dominant side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]