Discussion
The present study evaluated the acute effects of preventive ankle taping on plantar pressure distribution and balance in healthy individuals. Our findings revealed significant changes in both static and dynamic conditions, highlighting the impact of taping on biomechanical parameters such as peak pressures, contact surface, and dynamic balance, as measured by the YBT. Those findings are aligned with previous studies, which reported similar results in pressure variables following the application of the taping ( Handoll et al., 2011 ). The observed redistribution of plantar pressure could be explained by the compensatory mechanisms in response to restricted ankle mobility, particularly in the rearfoot, but this may increase the risk of overuse injuries in the midfoot and forefoot due to the increased concentration of localized stress.

Migel & Wikstrom (2020) conducted a review on different ankle stabilization methods in participants with LAS condition, highlighting the limited number of studies that evaluate the biomechanical effects of taping despite is widespread use in clinical practice. Chinn et al. (2014) , compared the effects of ankle taping with respect to no-taping on gait kinematics, demonstrating that taping enhances joint stability and for the limitation of the extreme range of motion movements. However, changes in plantar pressure, as observed in the present study, suggest that while ankle taping may stabilize the ankle joint, also lead to increase peak pressures in the midfoot and may cause uncontrolled load foot redistribution, which could increase injury risk.

In a pilot study developed by Yen et al. (2018) , the effects of the kinesiotape bandage on ankle kinematics using 3D motion analysis was assessed. Authors reported that the kinesiotape group exhibited a greater anti-inversion effect due to the properties of the materials. In the current study, similar effects were achieved, which may explain the comparable results. Our findings also showed a reduction in contact surface area in the rearfoot, which could indicate a more concentrated load potentially increasing the risk of overuse injuries or stress reactions. Moreover, the increased mean pressure in dynamic tasks observed in the midfoot and forefoot resulted in restricted rearfoot motion caused by the ankle taping. These findings were consistent with previous studies that suggest taping may alter natural load distribution patterns in the foot. In this line, the observed decreasing in forefoot velocity supports the idea that altered dynamic foot function was related with modifications in gait strategy and foot strike patterns, which could affect overall locomotor efficiency and potentially increase the risk of injury.

Willems et al. (2005) employed a pressure platform to compare non-injuried individuals with those suffering from CAI, showing that CAI group exhibited a lateral shift in the center of pressure. In the present study, the taping appeared to promote a neutral position of the subtalar and talonavicular joint, which could partially explain the prevention effect of externally stabilizing the ankle that had been already described in scientific literature ( Quinn et al., 2000 ; Emery & Pasanen, 2019 ; Kaminski, Needle & Delahunt, 2019 ).

Balance deficits are commonly observed in individuals with CAI ( Jaffri et al., 2020 ), and preventive ankle taping plays and important role in addressing these deficits. Trojian & McKeag (2006) found the relationship between poor balance scores and higher incidence of ankle injuries. In the present study, a decrease in YBT performance in the anterior and posterlotaleral directions is consistent with previous findings, where lower YBT scores are strongly linked to a higher risk of lower limb injuries and impaired dynamic balance ( Trojian & McKeag, 2006 ; Mohammadi et al., 2024 ; Alkhathami, 2023 ). Individuals with asymmetries in YBT are particulary vulnerable to injury, emphasizing the need for fitted interventions to correct these imbalances ( Smith, Chimera & Warren, 2015 ). Consequently, a reduced ROM dorsiflexion observed in our study correlates with the stabilizing effect of taping on the talonavicular and subtalar joints, which helps to mitigate excessive movements of the talus during plantar flexion ( Bernier, Perrin & Rijke, 1997 ; Hertel et al., 1999 ; Meyer et al., 1988 ). Kerkhoffs et al. (2002) remarked in a systematic review the effectiveness of the functional tape stabilization in extreme ankle joint movements. Romero-Morales et al. (2023) also reported a decrease in dorsiflexion following the preventive application of taping for LAS, which is consistent with our findings. The position of the tape stirrups plays an important role controlling the calcaneal adduction and supination ( Kaminski, Needle & Delahunt, 2019 ). Additionally, these results support the use of preventive ankle taping to improve balance and joint stability ( Pollock et al., 2000 ; Zwiers et al., 2016 ; Chinn et al., 2014 ).

The significant decrease in forefoot velocity observed during dynamic assessment suggest an altered foot function which is related with altered gait strategies or an increase in injury risk. Static platform analysis further revealed increased midfoot pressure, decreased forefoot pressure and reduced contact surface, consistent with previous findings about pressure redistribution due to ankle taping ( O’Sullivan et al., 2008 ). The changes on the surface distribution may cause compensatory movements or altered load-bearing features associated with a decrease of the movement efficiency. Therefore, strategies focused on minimal biomechanical disruption should be considered ( Hopper et al., 2009 ; Sawkins et al., 2007 ).

The present study has several limitations that need to be acknowledged. First, there is a possibility of gait adaptation by the participants to the pressure platform, which could potentially affect the naturalness of the gait patterns observed. Although measures were taken to minimize this by allowing practice time, the influence cannot be entirely ruled out. Second, the measurements were only taken immediately after the application of the bandage, which does not provide information on the longevity of the effects observed. It would be beneficial for future research to examine the durability of these biomechanical changes after a period of athletic activity. Third, the study did not include functional tests for jumping movements, which are crucial activities in sports where lateral ankle sprains are common. This limitation could affect the applicability of the findings to real-world sports settings where dynamic and high-impact movements are frequent, so this study has to be considered only as a preliminary exploration of the ankle biodynamics behavior with the application of a functional bandage. Finally, the inclusion of only healthy participants can introduce a potential bias, as the results may not be applicable to situations where the biomechanic of the foot is already altered.

Future studies should aim to address the limitations noted by incorporating longer follow-up periods to assess the persistence of the taping effects through various phases of athletic activities. Additionally, including functional jumping tests could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the tape’s effectiveness in dynamic sports scenarios. To obtain a fuller picture of the ankle and foot joint complex’s behavior under taped conditions, it would also be beneficial to measure muscle activation patterns, particularly of the peroneal muscles and intrinsic stabilizing muscles of the foot, which play significant roles in ankle stability. Expanding the research to specific high-risk sports and tracking outcomes across different seasons could help in determining the role of taping in preventing chronic ankle instability and its efficacy in real-world sports applications.

The findings of this study suggest significant biomechanical alterations due to ankle taping that could influence clinical practices in sports medicine. While taping is shown to modify plantar pressures and gait dynamics, the implications for injury prevention and performance need careful consideration. Sports medicine professionals should weigh the benefits of ankle taping against potential alterations in natural movement patterns and the risk of compensatory injuries. Tailoring taping techniques to individual athletes’ needs and monitoring their impact over time could optimize its protective effects while minimizing adverse outcomes. Furthermore, the impact of other rehabilitative techniques in ankle stability, such as dry needling ( Martínez-Jiménez et al., 2023 ) should be explored both in clinical and research environments.