Niclas Masuch (Chemnitz), Jesus A. E. Navarro (Chemnitz), Prof. Dr. Felipe P. Carpes (Uruguaiana / BR), Dr. Daniel Schmidt (Chemnitz), Dr. Andresa M. C. Germano (Chemnitz)
Abstract-Text (inkl. Referenzen und Bildunterschriften)
Introduction
Balance heavily relies on ankle proprioception [1], which is often assessed in supine or seated positions [2]. Hence, the lack of weight bearing in these postures could influence the association between proprioception and balance.
Aims
Here we investigate the relationship between ankle proprioception during upright stance and balance in male and female participants.
Materials & methods
Participants (n=37, 19 male, 25.1 ± 3.6 yrs) completed a 35-s quiet stance followed by an anterior limits of stability test (12 s) on a force plate (fig. 1). Center of pressure (COP) was quantified. Next, ankle proprioception was assessed in the dominant and non-dominant leg by measuring the absolute error during a passive joint position sense test (1.25 °/s and 2.5 °/s) targeting an angle of 5 ° dorsiflexion during upright standing (fig. 2). Males and females were compared by Mann-Whitney U test and correlations were verified using Spearman correlation (both α = 0.05).
Results
Female participants showed lower absolute error values for two fast conditions and moderate correlations between ankle proprioception in the dominant foot and COP static velocity, and anteroposterior displacement (all p < 0,05). No significant correlations we observed for male participants.
Conclusion
A moderate relationship was found between ankle proprioception and balance when both measures were performed with participants standing upright. However, it remains unclear whether the better proprioception in females has played a role on these relationships. Future studies should investigate proprioceptive function in this posture in elderly.
[1] Han, J., et al. (2015). BioMed research international, 2015.
[2] Stillman, B. C., & McMeeken, J. M. (2001). Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 47(4), 247-253.
Figure 1: Measurement of quiet stance and limits of stability.
Figure 2: Measurement of ankle proprioception.