That elastic tape that some athletes wear is just one of many “lucky rabbit’s feet” to help them play their best. Supposedly, wearing the tape improves circulation and allows them to compete while they rehab from minor injuries. This video from DNews explores whether they work and why so many athletes swear by them.
One of the more popular brands, KT Tape, claims the tape is “for muscle, ligament, and tendon pain relief and support.” It’s supposed to work by pulling on your skin to ease the pressure off injured muscles and encouraging more blood flow, while letting you tear up the sports field without inhibiting range of motion.
The scientific support for their benefits is very weak, but that doesn’t stop people from still wearing it. In a highly competitive environment, the extra mental edge is just as important as your physical capabilities. So if you believe that something works and helps your performance, then you will very likely perform better.
-lifehacker