Ankle taping also seems to be helpful in avoiding ankle sprains. Most studies suggest that bracing and taping are effective, but bracing may be more helpful for long duration due to several factors. Tape can be more expensive in the long run since it needs to be replaced more frequently. Tape is also somewhat less reliable than a brace (i.e. can fall off with sweat, be applied incorrectly, or lose supportiveness due to elasticity breakdown). Taping is still a better solution than no support, and it can be less restrictive & bulky compared to bracing for sports like gymnastics.