taping

(engineering) The process of measuring distances with a surveyor's tape.

Strapping or taping is the use of tapes and bandages to support a weakened body part without limiting its function. A taped joint should retain its normal range of movement but as the tapes are usually inelastic, they prevent movements beyond the normal range which might stress the weakened area and aggravate an injury. Some coaches and trainers tape uninjured joints as a precautionary measure to improve stability and decrease the risk of injury during strenuous activity. Others never tape uninjured joints. They argue that an immobilized joint cannot take its share of the load and therefore overloads other joints, increasing the risk of injury. They often add that a person injured badly enough to require taping, should not exercise.

Measuring distance on the ground with a tape or chain.

Use of tapes, straps, or bandages to support a weakened body part without limiting its function, by preventing undesired movements which stress the weakened area. The tapes generally used are rather inelastic and 38-30 mm in width. Taping may also be used as a preventative measure to improve stability and decrease injuries. There are two main attitudes towards preventative taping. One is that it is always wise to tape joints prior to activity, thus preventing damage and maintaining joint stability by spreading the load onto other joints. The other attitude is that joints should always be left untaped because an immobilized joint cannot take its share of the load and therefore overloads other joints. See also bracing.