Cross-sectional analysis investigates ankle joint-position sense and its influencing factors in young healthy adults, indicating no significant differences based on demographics or activity level.
Joint-position sense (JPS) performance depends on the integration of sensory input from different mechanoreceptors, whose contribution may vary according to the protocol. Research on the influence of individual factors (sex, limb dominance and physical activity) on ankle JPS remains scarce or inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the influence of individual and protocol-related factors on the ankle JPS of young healthy adults. Fifty individuals participated in this cross-sectional study. Ankle JPS was assessed by active repositioning toward three target angles: 10° dorsiflexion and 10°/20° plantarflexion. All procedures were video-recorded and analyzed using Kinovea. Absolute (AAE) and relative angular errors (RAE) were calculated. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity level. There were no significant differences in AAE regarding sex, dominance or physical activity level (p > 0.05). Mean AAE values ranged between 0.5° and 0.7°, with no significant differences between the tested angles (p > 0.05). RAE analysis revealed a tendency toward overestimation of joint position. In young healthy adults, ankle JPS appears to be independent of sex, limb dominance, physical activity level, or tested target angles. Furthermore, these individuals seem to present AAE values below 1°. This information may help to identify those with proprioceptive deficits and monitor intervention outcomes.
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Azevedo et al. (2026) studied this question.
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