Evaluation of elbow joint position sense with electronic goniometer - new methodology and pilot study

Joint position sense and force reproduction are the most commonly used measures of proprioception. It is interesting to measure proprioception in integration of the factors most commonly viewed as the most important in table tennis—speed, in particular quick reaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of replication of a specific range of motion and force of hand pressing under conditions of limited time. Forty table tennis players and 30 non-athletes participated in the study. Electrogoniometric and dynamometric methods were used in the investigation. The accuracy of replication of pronation and supination movements of the forearm at the elbow joint and force of hand pressing under conditions of limited time (performing the activity as fast as possible in response to visual signals) were measured. The tests performed in the study revealed that both female and male table tennis players were characterized by a higher level of forearm position sense during performing the fastest possible pronation and supination movements in most of the tasks. Better results of table tennis players than of the control group suggest that joint position and hand pressure sense integrated with quick reaction are important performance factors in table tennis. The results also indicate opportunities for using this methodology to monitor training.

Download Full-text

Relationship between Joint Position Sense, Force Sense, and Muscle Strength and the Impact of Gymnastic Training on Proprioception

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/5353242 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Bartłomiej Niespodziński ◽

Andrzej Kochanowicz ◽

Jan Mieszkowski ◽

Elżbieta Piskorska ◽

Małgorzata Żychowska

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Elbow Joint ◽

Position Sense ◽

Joint Position Sense ◽

Control Group ◽

Joint Position ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship ◽

Force Sense

The aims of this study were (1) to assess the relationship between joint position (JPS) and force sense (FS) and muscle strength (MS) and (2) to evaluate the impact of long-term gymnastic training on particular proprioception aspects and their correlations. 17 elite adult gymnasts and 24 untrained, matched controls performed an active reproduction (AR) and passive reproduction (PR) task and a force reproduction (FR) task at the elbow joint. Intergroup differences and the relationship between JPS, FS, and MS were evaluated. While there was no difference in AR or PR between groups, absolute error in the control group was higher during the PR task (7.15 ± 2.72°) than during the AR task (3.1 ± 1.93°). Mean relative error in the control group was 61% higher in the elbow extensors than in the elbow flexors during 50% FR, while the gymnast group had similar results in both reciprocal muscles. There was no linear correlation between JPS and FS in either group; however, FR was negatively correlated with antagonist MS. In conclusion, this study found no evidence for a relationship between the accuracy of FS and JPS at the elbow joint. Long-term gymnastic training improves the JPS and FS of the elbow extensors.

Download Full-text