Influence of Different Positions on Results of Proprioception Testing in Young Adults

Abstract

essential for balance, posture, and movement. Research on knee proprioception often uses limited positions, while functional, weight-bearing positions remain underexplored.

Aim: To examine how different body positions—weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing—affect knee joint proprioception in young adults.

Methods: Forty-four healthy participants (18–30 years) with normal BMI were assessed using a mobile clinometer gyroscope in four positions: high sitting, supine leg press, standing partial squat, and supine hip-knee flexion in air. Participants replicated a self-selected knee angle without visual input. The absolute error between target and reproduced angles measured joint position sense.

Results: Mean joint position errors varied across positions, with the least error in the standing squat. However, repeated measures ANOVA showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05), including between the two supine positions. Although the standing squat showed the smallest error, this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: While the results were not statistically significant, the standing squat position showed the smallest error suggesting better proprioceptive accuracy. Position-specific assessments may help identify proprioceptive deficits in clinical settings.