## 1 Introduction  
Maintaining equilibrium in static and dynamic movement pattern is crucial for minimizing the risk of injury and optimizing physical performance, especially in athletes [1]. Lateral ankle strains resulting from rapid supination, leading to damage to the ankle's lateral ligaments and cartilaginous surfaces, are a common cause of injury [2]. These injuries can significantly affect the individuals' functional balance [2]. A more than fifty percent recurrence rate leads to a wide variety of long-term problems, including ankle osteoarthritis [3]. A person's ability to participate in athletics and daily activities, as well as their overall quality of life, can be negatively affected by sustaining an ankle sprain [4]. Motor control is a dynamic process that is continuously reassessed and adjusted based on the integration and interpretation of sensory information, motor commands, and the resulting movements. This adaptability holds true even for seemingly simple actions, highlighting the complex nature of the motor control system [5]. A significant contribution is made by the proprioceptive information acquired from the receptors in the joints and muscles [6]. Proprioceptive information from the ankle muscles is important [7]. The ankle proprioception is impaired in individuals with ankle sprains, contributing to the development and maintenance of chronic ankle instability (CAI) [8]. Compared to asymptomatic individuals, those with CAI exhibit greater ankle joint position sense (JPS) errors and compromised balance [8; 9]. The sensory input from proprioceptive receptors can have a significant impact on ankle JPS and balance [10; 11]. Ankle sprains can significantly affect various factors, including muscle spindle sensitivity, ligament malfunction, muscle inhibition, decreased muscle strength, and abnormal reflexes [11; 12]. The relationship between ankle JPS and balance has been the focus of numerous studies in the field of musculoskeletal research [8; 13]. Ankle Joint Position Sense (JPS) refers to the ability to accurately perceive and reproduce the position of the ankle joint in space [14]. Balance, on the other hand, encompasses the ankle joint's positional stability during both static and dynamic activities [15]. Several investigations have demonstrated a significant association between ankle JPS and balance, indicating that individuals with better proprioceptive acuity in the ankle joint tend to exhibit superior postural stability [16; 17]. The precise mechanisms underlying this relationship are not fully understood, but it is believed that accurate ankle JPS provides valuable sensory input that facilitates precise adjustments in muscle activation and joint position, ultimately contributing to enhanced balance control [11; 18]. Understanding the intricate interplay between ankle JPS and balance is crucial for the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving postural stability and reducing the risk of falls and injuries [19; 20]. The fear-avoidance model is a well-established and widely accepted theoretical framework used to comprehend the intricate relationship between pain and physical activity [21]. It provides valuable insights into how individuals may respond to pain and modify their behaviors accordingly [21; 22]. This model posits that individuals with pain may develop fear and avoidance behaviors towards activities that they believe may exacerbate their pain [23]. Over time, these avoidance behaviors can lead to further physical deconditioning, perpetuating the cycle of pain and avoidance [23]. In this context, pain can be seen as a mediator between fear and avoidance behaviors and functional outcomes. In the case of CAI, pain may mediate the relationship between impaired ankle JPS and compromised balance, potentially contributing to further functional limitations. As such, interventions aimed at reducing pain and addressing fear-avoidance behaviors may be critical for improving functional outcomes in individuals with CAI.