## 4 Discussion  
This novel pilot study aimed to analyze the immediate effects of a KT bandage on knee valgus, balance, proprioception, and anterior displacement of the tibia in female athletes. The KT application was observed to reduce knee valgus in some functional tests, which could have a preventive effect against ACL injury. The KT placed with a tension of 75% significantly decreased knee valgus during the LSD test, compared to the KT with 10% tension (\(p\)-txg \(<\) 0.01), with a large effect size, as opposed to what other studies have reported about the effects of KT on static stability in healthy young athletes [24]. However, in the YBT, significant differences were only found over time in the anterior displacement, but not between groups, which is in line with the results reported by [PERSON] et al. in healthy amateur soccer players [24]. Only in studies performed in individuals with a recent ACL rupture did KT improve the static stability [22,23]. This finding is clinically relevant because it may be associated with a potential reduction in the risk of ACL injury, since an enhanced knee valgus is a risk factor for this type of injury [26]. Concerning the SLS, no statistically significant differences were found between bandages, perhaps due to the small sample size (\(n\) = 20), as the sample size calculation indicates that it should reach at least \(n\) = 50 to obtain significant improvements between groups. Indeed, as there were statistically significant differences (\(p\) < 0.01) in the analysis over time, we could assume that, for example, in the SLS test (\(p\)-txg = 0.17), statistically significant differences between groups would be found if the sample was larger. However, the trend in the LSD and the SLS is similar, which could be because the muscle pattern of both tests is a closed kinetic chain of lower limbs, with activation of hip extensors, hip abductors, knee extensors, and ankle extensors. Regarding the JLT, no statistically significant differences between groups were found in the present study. Other authors have reported that KT at the knee reduces the dynamic knee valgus during some landing tasks such as the single leg drop landing test in male participants [25], the Drop Jump test in both female and male participants [20], and Drop Jump test in male participants applying a similar KT bandage to that in the present study [26]. Perhaps the JLT has different biomechanics as it has a horizontal jump component, which could explain why the same results were not found as in other studies. Concerning the displacement of the tibia, the use of the KT is based on the tactile stimulation of the cutaneous mechanoreceptors, which may improve proprioception and knee position during dynamic tasks by allowing a better perception of the position of the joints. This specific application can help control the anterior translation of the tibia and valgus. In the temporal analysis of the ultrasound assessment, the KT bandage reduced the total displacement of the tibia (\(p\) = 0.02). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the IG and the CG, which could be explained by the highly elastic properties of the KT, which allows a normal full range of motion while providing support [19]. In this regard, both KTs with 75% and 10% could be effective. Some interesting clinical implications can be drawn from this study, which was conducted to find immediate means of prevention for ACL injuries in female athletes following the research recommendations of [PERSON] et al. [26]. A 75% tension KT bandage reduced knee valgus during a dynamic stability test in a closed kinetic chain, so it could be an effective strategy to prevent ACL injuries in female rugby and football athletes, combined with other approaches such as proprioception or jumping tasks training [41]. However, it is important to point out the limitations found in the study. First, the sample size is small, which makes it difficult to project the results to the specific population.