## 1 Introduction  
The medial and lateral longitudinal arches (MLAs and LLAs) are a key structural component of the foot that plays an essential role in absorbing impacts and providing propulsion during walking and running [1, 2]. One of the most common musculoskeletal conditions affecting the MLAs is flexible flatfoot, in which the entire sole of the foot makes contact with the ground during weight-bearing, regardless of the presence of a normal arch during non-weight-bearing [3, 4].  
Although the exact causes of flexible flatfoot, a condition reported to be more prevalent in women, are unclear, weight bearing is known to cause plantar flexion, medial deviation of the talus, and aversion of the calcaneus, resulting in excessive pronation of the foot [5]. An altered alignment impairs normal foot function and may contribute to fatigue and discomfort during walking.  
A key biomechanical mechanism affected by flexible flatfoot is the windlass mechanism, which involves the plantar aponeurosis, a structure that connects the heel to the base of the toes. During toe dorsiflexion, the plantar fascia tightens and elevates the MLA,providing rigidity to the foot and supporting propulsion during gait [6, 7]. However, in individuals with flexible flat feet, a decrease in the MLA height compromises the effectiveness of this mechanism and negatively affects gait performance and shock absorption [4].  
Flexible flatfeet can also impair postural balance. The soles of the feet contain mechanoreceptors that are sensitive to pressure changes, contributing to proprioceptive feedback and postural control [8]. When the arch collapses during weight bearing, the increased plantar contact area may disrupt sensory input, leading to reduced balance ability. Several studies have reported improved balance in individuals with flat feet following the use of orthotic insoles [9, 10].  
Athletic Tape has emerged as a popular intervention because of its immediate effects and cost-effectiveness compared with orthotic devices. It is commonly used to support the arch and reduce excessive pronation during movement [11, 12, 13, 14, 15]. Among the various taping techniques, low-dye taping has been widely studied and is known to elevate the navicular bone and reinforce the MLA by applying tension across the midfoot [16, 17, 18]. This technique has demonstrated effectiveness in redistributing plantar pressure during standing and walking [19, 20].  
Another method, anti-pronation spiral taping, is simpler to apply and more adherent to the foot than traditional methods. It offers enhanced stability owing to its spiraling structure [21]. Despite the growing interest in taping techniques, studies directly comparing different taping techniques, particularly low-dye and anti-pronation taping, are limited [22].  
Despite the increasing clinical use of both elastic and inelastic taping techniques for managing flexible flatfoot, few studies have systematically compared their effects under standardized conditions. The lack of comparative evidence limits informed clinical decision-making, particularly in relation to functional outcomes such as gait, balance, and ankle strength. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of low-dye taping and anti-pronation taping (elastic and inelastic) on ankle strength, gait parameters, and balance control in adult women with flexible flat feet. We hypothesized that elastic anti-pronation taping would yield superior improvements in gait and dorsiflexion strength compared to other taping methods, that is, the effects of low-dye taping and anti-pronation taping (elastic and inelastic) on ankle strength, gait parameters, and balance control in adult women with flexible flat feet.