Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Woosong University, Daejeon, Korea | [b] Department of Digital Bio-Health Convergence, College of Health and Welfare, Woosong University, Daejeon, Korea | Tel.: +82 42 630 4624; Fax: +82 42 630 4611; E-mail: wootaeklimpt@wsu.ac.kr
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Department of Digital Bio-Health Convergence, College of Health and Welfare, Woosong University, Daejeon, Korea. Tel.: +82 42 630 4624; Fax: +82 42 630 4611; E-mail: wootaeklimpt@wsu.ac.kr.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Joint position reproduction measures the angle acuity of reference angle reproduction using an indicator angle. However, reference angles are often not available. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine joint position sense at three different targeted joint angles, which were estimated from the maximum range of motion (maxROM) without a reference angle at each targeted joint angle. METHODS: The maxROM was measured in straight leg raise (SLR) and active knee extension (AKE) positions. In both positions, a targeted joint angle at 75% of the maxROM was assessed first, followed by that at 50% and 25% of the maxROM. A one-sample t-test was used to analyze differences between the targeted and reproduced angles in both positions. RESULTS: All reproduced angles significantly differed from the targeted angle in both SLR and AKE positions except for the reproduced angle measured at 75% maxROM. Overall, position errors in the AKE position were higher than those in the SLR position. CONCLUSIONS: Estimating the angle based on the maxROM without a matched reference angle may lead to significant discrepancies in comparison with the targeted joint angle. In clinical settings, if accurate reproduction of motions is required to improve proprioception, providing a reference angle might be helpful.
Keywords: Joint flexibility, lower extremity, proprioception, range of motion
