TL;DR: Rigid sports tape is a high-tensile, inelastic strapping tool that keeps joints still and stops ligament injury. 38 mm zinc-oxide strapping tape is the normal size for ankles and wrists; however, 50mm strapping tape works better for bigger muscle groups. Aupcon is a top sports tape manufacturer that makes medical-grade stiff tapes that may be customized for professional teams and bulk distributors.
In high-impact sports, joint stability might mean the difference between a great performance and an injury that ends the season. Rigid sports tape is still the best instrument for mechanical support in a physiotherapist’s toolbox. Rigid tape is made with one main objective in mind: to stop unwanted movement. This is different from flexible kinesiology tapes.
This guide goes over the biomechanical fundamentals of rigid strapping and how to pick the proper specs for your needs.
Understanding the Mechanics: How Rigid Sports Tape Stabilizes
The main idea behind rigid sports tape is to keep things from moving. The tape works like an outside ligament since it is constructed of high-tensile, non-elastic cotton. When used appropriately, it makes a physical barrier that keeps a joint from getting into an “injury zone,” which is the range of motion where ligaments usually break.
1. Support from machines
The rigid sports tape takes stress off the internal ligaments (such as the ACL in the knee or the ATFL in the ankle) and onto itself by sticking tightly to the skin. This is really important for athletes who are coming back from an injury and need to protect their recovering tissues.
2. Proprioceptive biofeedback
In addition to limiting movement, sports strapping tape improves “proprioception.” The rigid sports tape’s tightness on the skin sends the brain continual signals about where the joint is. The tape pulls on the muscles right away, which makes them fire faster. This could fix the action before an accident happens.
How to Pick Between 50mm or 38mm Rigid Strapping Tape
One of the most common inquiries trainers get is what width of tape to use. We make a range of widths at Aupcon to meet varied anatomical needs, but two sizes are the most popular.
38 mm rigid strapping tape can be used in many ways
In professional sports, the 38mm rigid sports tape is the most common size. The width is perfect for:
Ankle Strapping: It fits nicely around the malleolus (ankle bone) and the arch of the foot without making the foot too big.
Knee Support: Used to keep the patella in place and support the collateral ligaments.
Wrist Stabilization: Giving gymnasts or weightlifters a strong “cuff.”
50 mm Strapping Tape
The tape width should also get bigger when the surface area gets bigger. People like to use 50mm strapping tape for:
Shoulder Strapping: It should be big enough to cover the deltoid and acromioclavicular (AC) joint well.
Thigh and Hamstring Support: Used to put pressure on the quadriceps and stop the muscles from moving around too much.
Large Joint Immobilization: This is often utilized as a “base layer” for more complicated multi-tape applications.
How Rigid Sports Tape Keeps Weak Joints Safe: Injury Prevention Tips
Many athletes use tape after an injury, but the best way to utilize 38mm stiff tape is to prevent injuries. Taping up before a game is a common practice in sports like basketball, netball, and rugby that greatly lowers the risk of acute sprains.
A conventional “stirrup” and “figure-six” wrap with 38mm stiff strapping tape can cut the risk of lateral ankle sprains by up to 50%.
Finger “Buddy” Taping: In volleyball or basketball, a 12.5mm or 25mm wide strip of tape (typically ripped off a 38mm roll) is used to hold a weak finger to a healthy one.
Elbow Hyperextension: For fighters, a “check-rein” application of stiff tape keeps the elbow from snapping back when they miss a hit or fall.
The rigid sports tape needs to have a strong zinc oxide adhesive for these methods to function. This keeps the tape’s “hold” even when it becomes sweaty, rubs against things, or moves quickly.
Aupcon: Your Business Partner for Customization and Bulk Rigid Sports Tape
Picking the perfect tape is only half the issue; the other half is picking the right company to make it. Aupcon is a professional sports tape manufacturer that focuses on making high-performance products for the world market.
We know that professional sports teams, medical clinics, and distributors need more than simply a regular product. This is why we offer:
A lot of different products: From our main sports tapes, kinesiology tapes, and cohesive bandages to professional orthopedic braces for body parts such as the neck, shoulders, knees, and legs.
Customization services: We offer full OEM and ODM services. Aupcon can make your brand come to life, whether you need your team’s emblem printed on the inside or custom-made retail packaging.
We specialize in making a lot of things at once and offer competitive factory-direct prices for bulk orders, so you’ll never run out during the busy season.
Conclusion: Aupcon will help you play better
The basic idea behind rigid sports tape is to give the body stability that it can’t get on its own. When you use 38mm stiff strapping tape to support your ankle or 50mm strapping tape to stabilize your shoulder, the quality of the tape is the first thing that will keep you from getting hurt.
Don’t use rigid sports tape that doesn’t stick when things become tough. Aupcon is a skilled manufacturer that knows the science behind perspiration.
