The importance of using sports tape for all athletes

When people endure an ankle injury, it is not as severe as one might think. If the ankle is broken, then it is set into place by adjusting the bone. If the ankle is sprained, in the case of sports injury strapping is the way to go. After strapping, crutches are used, rest is taken and rehabilitation is done. That is the plus side of ankle injuries. The disadvantage is that if you are a pro athlete or even an amateur, then you have to take time off the field to let your injuries heal.

                 That means you will not be able to play and when you are not playing, your fitness level drops due to lack of training and then your skills suffer. Thus, it is vital that you learn how to fasten your ankle with a bandage before the injury occurs so you can avoid the injury altogether.

·         Avoiding the ankle injuries

Sports experts decided long ago that the ankle is the most vulnerable part of the athlete and it is counted as one of the most common sports injuries. Particularly in sports like football and basketball where a lot of running, jumping and sharp turning is needed, Ankle injuries are a result of a bad landing after a jump or pressure on a twisted ankle. If the ankle was wrapped with tape, it could save the sportsman from incoming injuries. Afterwards, people started manufacturing and distributing sports tape.

·         How to wrap the ankle with tape

These injuries are a result of landing or coming down on the ankle at an angle in which it twists. This twisting can stretch and tear the tendons and muscles in that area. This does not happen to a well-supported ankle. Most of the times a crepe bandage is quite sufficient to give balance and firmness to the ankle but, the professional athletes choose the option of sports injury strapping with sports tape.

                                                                                    How exactly a sports tape is wrapped around the ankle is a lengthy debate on its own because each different sport requires a specific method by which strapping is done. There is a wide variety of sports tape available in the market; some are rigid, some are flexible and some are adhesive which need a glue to keep them in place. Regardless of the wrapping technique you use, there are a few steps that are common to all methods:

-       Learning how to tear the tape is important. You have to grip it firmly between the fingers and the thumb. Tearing the tape requires you to pull it from opposing ends.

-       When you apply the tape or wrap, avoid wrinkling it because it will cause you to get blisters or simply create discomfort

-       Some athletes, who are new to using sports tape, wrap it too tightly around the ankle which can lead to the restriction of blood flow. Avoid doing so, because that could affect the functioning of your feet.

-       Wax the lower legs before applying tape otherwise; the removal of the tape also takes with it your leg hair which can be painful.