Germany's Katrin Holtwick takes part in a practice session with kinesio tape on her stomach at the Olympic beach bolleyball main court at the Horse Guards Parade in London, July 26, 2012.
You saw them on everyone from track stars, to boxers, to most notably, volleyball players, and no doubt you’ll see more athletes sporting the stretchy woven cloth tape, meant to relieve pressure and increase circulation, in the Paralympics. The tape ($10), which has been around for years, used to just come in skin colors, but with the vibrant hues you saw splashed across volleyball bellies, they’ve almost become an accessory, not just a treatment option. Athletic trainers like Jill Wosmek, who travels with USA Volleyball, says “I’m 50/50 on the tape, but it has no ill side effects, and if it gives your athlete comfort, why wouldn’t you use it?” Dustin Williams, who travels with the US track team, is on the same page, “I’ve seen some improvement,” says Williams, “and the tape is a lot more flexible, and doesn’t restrict movement like some others.”