## 4 Discussion
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Taping Type** & **No Tape** & **Low-Dye** & **A-PESI** & **A-PESE** & **F** & \(p\) & **n\({}^{2}\) (Effect Size)** \\ \hline step length (cm) & 37.82 \(\pm\) 7.78 & 40.03 \(\pm\) 8.04 & 40.43 \(\pm\) 5.63 & 40.77 \(\pm\) 7.83 & 3.87 & 0.01 \({}^{*}\) & 0.309 \\  & & & & & & No Tape \(<\) Inelastic \(=\) Elastic & 0.309 \\ \hline stride length (cm) & 114.15 \(\pm\) & 18.09 & 117.64 \(\pm\) 17.84 & 116.99 \(\pm\) 15.67 & 120.24 \(\pm\) 17.98 & 6.43 & 0.01 \({}^{*}\) & 0.426 \\  & & & & & No Tape \(<\) Elastic & & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} \({}^{*}\)_p_ < 0.05 (mean \(\pm\) SD), _F_-statistic from a repeated measures ANOVA, A-PESE: anti-pronation spiral taping inelastic, A-PESE: inelastic anti-pronation spiral taping elastic.  
\end{table} 
Table 3: Difference in gait parameters (step length and stride length) according to Athletic Tape types. rigor of our taping application and its enhancement in neuromuscular control [29]. Furthermore, elastic tape may allow for a degree of dynamic movement in which inelastic or rigid taping methods are restricted, leading to increased functional recruitment of the dorsiflexor muscles [29,30]. Although other directions of ankle movement, such as plantar flexion, inversion, and evasion, showed some increase in strength, the lack of any significant difference suggests that the effect of taping may be more localized or movement-specific. Concerning gait, both elastic and inelastic taping led to significant increases in step length, whereas only elastic taping led to an improvement in stride length. This difference may be attributed to the mechanical flexibility of the elastic tape, allowing for a more natural joint excursion and muscle engagement during the gait cycle. Previous studies noted that elastic taping can assist in restoring normal foot mechanics, thereby promoting more efficient heel-to-tee progression [20,30]. In contrast, low-dye taping, although effective in arch support, did not significantly influence either step or stride length in this study. This finding corroborates the findings of [PERSON] et al. [16], who suggested that low-dye taping may offer structural stability but lacks the dynamic facilitation required to enhance gait parameters in healthy or mildly symptomatic individuals. Concerning balance control, Romberg test results revealed no significant changes in sway length or sway velocity following taping. It is also worth noting that the Romberg test was performed with eyes closed, which typically increases the sensitivity of the assessment to proprioceptive or vestibular influences. However, the absence of significant changes suggests that short-term taping may not sufficiently impact static balance under deprived sensory conditions. Future research may benefit from incorporating dynamic balance tasks or perturbation-based protocols to assess functional postural control. This finding is consistent with the findings of a study indicating that short-term taping may not sufficiently alter static postural stability [31]. However, all taping types led to a significant reduction in the LOS, which requires careful interpretation. While decreased LOS may indicate improved control, it may alternatively indicate a reduced range of voluntary postural movement due to mechanical restrictions imposed by taping. Similar interpretations were made by [PERSON] et al. [32] and [PERSON] et al. [31] who noted that although taping can provide mechanical support, it may concurrently limit the body's capacity to explore postural boundaries. The differential effects observed between elastic and inelastic taping further highlight the importance of the mechanical properties in therapeutic taping. Compared with inelastic materials, elastic materials may promote better proprioceptive feedback and allow for a functional range of motion, which are essential for gait and strength gain. Conversely, compared with elastic taping, rigid or inelastic taping may offer greater structural correction at the expense of joint mobility.