The Immediate Effect of Kinesiotaping on Lower Limb Movement Patterns in Soccer Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Objective In soccer players with chronic ankle instability, lower limb movement patterns are altered, which may increase the risk of injuries, particularly ankle sprains.The present study aimed to evaluate the immediate effect of kinesiotaping on functional movement patterns of the lower limb in soccer players with chronic ankle instability.Methods Thirty male soccer players with chronic ankle instability participated in this study.Functional movement patterns of the lower limb-including deep squat, hurdle step, and in-line lunge-were assessed before and after tape application.Repeatedmeasures ANOVA was used to compare the results between the pre-and postintervention phases.Results Statistical analysis revealed significant improvements after kinesiotaping in the deep squat (P < 0.001, ES = 0.582), hurdle step (P < 0.001, ES = 0.800), and inline lunge (P < 0.001, ES = 0.810). ConclusionThe findings indicate that kinesiotaping immediately enhances functional movement patterns of the lower limb in soccer players with chronic ankle instability.These improvements are likely mediated by increased proprioception, enhanced joint stability, and reduced fear of movement, which may indirectly contribute to better joint protection.