Effects of 2 Different External Loads on Joint Position Sense and the Relationship Between Muscle Strength and Force Sense

Abstract

Context: Joint position sense (JPS) tests of proprioception lack ecological validity because the testing conditions are so different from the normal function that they can contribute little to understanding the role proprioception plays in daily and sporting activities. Objective: To evaluate the effect of low and high external load on the knee JPS and to investigate the relationship between maximum voluntary isometric contraction and force sense (FS). Design: Experimental study. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants: A total of 47 volunteers with no history of knee pathology. Interventions: Three active JPS tests performed with no load, low load, and high load were compared at the 45° target angle. For isometric FS test, 50% load was used. For isotonic low load and high load JPS tests, 30% and 70% loads were applied, respectively. Main Outcome Measures: To analyze obtained data set 2-way multiple analysis of variance, repeated measures of analysis of variance, paired sample t test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient were used. Results: JPS was not affected by gender (male and female) and activity levels (sedentary, recreational, and trained). Results of the repeated measure of analysis of variance demonstrated the significant main effect of loads (P = .001). Significant differences were found between no load, low load, and high load JPS (P = .001). A positive and significant correlation was found between maximum voluntary isometric contraction and FS error values (r = .41, P = .001). Conclusions: The results suggest that as the load level increases, the knee JPS improves. Knee JPS assessed under external load may be a more appropriate alternative to the nature of the sport. Those with higher muscle strength have a worse FS.