Extended Abstract
1.    Introduction
Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide (1). A high prevalence of ankle injuries, particularly involving the lateral ligaments, has been reported among professional soccer players (3). Ankle instability, which may result from both functional and mechanical factors, is one of the most common causes of ankle sprains in this population (4). Previous studies have demonstrated that following ankle sprains and impaired proprioception, limitations in range of motion, muscle weakness, and balance deficits often develop, all of which are major risk factors for re-injury (6). Therefore, given the potential consequences of ankle injuries in soccer players, understanding the associated functional impairments is of great importance (7). In this regard, key components such as range of motion, flexibility, coordination, balance, and motor control can be simultaneously evaluated by observing functional movement patterns (8,9). Functional movement screening is a relatively new approach used to assess these patterns and to predict musculoskeletal injuries (8,10). An inability to perform these movements correctly may lead to ineffective compensatory strategies, thereby increasing the risk of injury at higher levels of play (12). Among the seven recognized functional movement patterns, ankle joint function and stability are primarily assessed through the deep squat, in-line lunge, and hurdle step (11). Previous research has shown that individuals with chronic ankle instability demonstrate altered movement patterns when performing these tasks compared with healthy controls (10,11).
Kinesiotaping, due to its cost-effectiveness and minimal interference with normal ankle function, has been widely applied in the prevention and management of sports injuries (11). Owing to its high elasticity, kinesiotape not only provides comfort but also avoids excessive restriction of ankle motion compared with braces and orthoses (18). This characteristic may help reduce the risk of sports-related injuries. In this context, earlier studies have suggested that kinesiotaping may have positive effects on the rehabilitation of athletes with ankle instability (19). However, the evidence remains inconsistent, as many studies assessing the effectiveness of taping in functional ankle instability have reported conflicting results (5). These uncertainties highlight the need for further research to reach more conclusive evidence regarding the role of kinesiotaping in this field. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the immediate effect of kinesiotaping on functional movement patterns of the lower limb in soccer athletes with chronic ankle instability. 
2.    Methods
The study population consisted of 30 male soccer players with chronic ankle instability. Kinesiotaping was applied following a previously described protocol (21). First, to address posterior talar slippage, tape was applied from the talus to the calcaneus while the ankle was held in mild dorsiflexion. Second, to limit ankle inversion, tape was applied from 5 cm above the medial malleolus to the lateral calcaneus and across the foot, while the ankle was positioned in mild inversion. Third, to limit ankle eversion, tape was applied from 5 cm above the lateral malleolus to the medial calcaneus and across the foot, while the ankle was placed in mild eversion. Finally, an additional strip was applied over the first taping area, with the ankle in mild dorsiflexion, fully overlapping the initial tape to enhance ankle support and control posterior talar slippage (21). Lower limb movement patterns were assessed using the deep squat, hurdle step, and in-line lunge tasks. Each movement pattern was scored on a 0–3 scale: a score of 3 indicated correct performance, 2 indicated compensatory or ineffective movement, 1 indicated inability to perform the movement, and 0 was assigned if pain was reported during the task (8). Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare data between the pre- and post-taping conditions.
3.    Results
The results of statistical analysis indicated that kinesiotaping led to significant improvements in the deep squat (P < 0.001, ES = 0.582), hurdle step (P < 0.001, ES = 0.800), and in-line lunge (P < 0.001, ES = 0.810) (Table 1). 

4.    Discussion
This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effect of kinesiotaping on functional movement patterns in soccer players with chronic ankle instability. The results demonstrated that lower limb movement patterns improved following kinesiotaping. Kinesiotaping appears to facilitate neural signaling by limiting excessive ankle range of motion and enhancing proprioceptive input (13). Its application significantly increased ankle dorsiflexion and eversion (18). These increases not only positioned the subtalar joint in a safer and more optimal alignment but also reduced tensile stress on the lateral ankle ligaments, thereby improving joint stability (18). Moreover, kinesiotaping may have contributed to enhanced ankle stability by precisely regulating external and internal movements of the calcaneus. Consequently, kinesiotaping promotes improved inversion and eversion control and facilitates posterior talar gliding, which supports dorsiflexion of the ankle (18).
Impaired proprioception in individuals with chronic ankle instability is primarily attributed to dysfunction of afferent nerve fibers, particularly mechanoreceptors located within the joint capsule and ankle ligaments, which are often compromised due to recurrent injury or instability (6). Such proprioceptive deficits hinder appropriate responses to external perturbations during weight-bearing activities and result in delayed motor reactions (18). Kinesiotaping activates proprioceptive pathways by stimulating cutaneous mechanoreceptors and enhancing sensory input signals. This mechanism may contribute to more confident movement execution and a more stable ankle position (17). From a psychological perspective, improved joint stability also increases athletes’ confidence, thereby facilitating better overall performance (18). 

Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
There were no ethical considerations to be addressed in this research.
Funding
This research did not receive any financial support from the government, private, or non-profit organizations. 
Authors' contributions
All authors contributed equally to preparing the article.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest associated with this article.