Some time ago we had already had the opportunity to test the Omstrip tapes in the field, which had risen to prominence thanks to the use by athletes of the caliber of Braidot and other international bikers. We at 365 Mountainbike had also tried them in competition, immediately perceiving a sensation of better balance on the bike and greater precision in movements, presenting them in this article.
Today, thanks to the investments made in my studio for the analysis and measurement of the performance of athletes (and not only), we have been able to objectively quantify the benefits that these tapes can bring to performance.
The test
The test was performed on a sample of 5 people, subjected to a series of postural tests to evaluate the level of stability and strength of the hamstring muscles. The measurements were taken using Kinvent equipment, in particular the stabilometric platform and a dynamometer.
The tests
For stability, I conducted a 30-second test, both with eyes open and closed, in monopodalic mode. Subsequently, I repeated the same tests by applying the Omstrip tapes on the anterior tibialis muscles and on the paravertebrals, respecting an interval of 30 minutes between the two series of tests.
In parallel, to measure hamstring strength, I proposed a protocol with three push-offs while keeping the leg at 45°, asking subjects to apply maximum force for 10 seconds with 15 seconds of recovery between each attempt. After applying the tapes, I waited 15 minutes and repeated the test.
The verdict
During the field test carried out some time ago, the sensation reported by the athletes was that of a better control of the movement, translated into a smoother pedaling and a more precise guide downhill. At the time, however, we did not have scientific data to support it.
This time, thanks to the instrumentation, we were able to objectively confirm the benefits: in the monopodalic stability tests on the stabilometric platform, the average improvement was 8%. In the evaluation of hamstring strength, subjects with marked stiffness or slight pain recorded an average increase in expressed strength of 5%.
In the images below on the left are the values of the monopodal stabilometric test without tapes, while on the right is the same test performed with tapes
Conclusion
What initially was only a subjective sensation of improvement in muscle function has now found scientific confirmation: data in hand, in specific situations, Omstrip tapes offer a real benefit for muscle function and body stability, improving the experience in the saddle both for pedaling and for technical driving.
