Reference Values and Accuracy-Influencing Factors for Knee Joint-Position Sense Assessments: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to contribute to the existing literature regarding reference values for knee joint-position sense assessments in healthy-young individuals, and to investigate which protocol- and individual-related factors produce higher accuracy. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 62 participants. Joint-position sense was assessed to an extreme (20°) and an intermediate (45°) target angle in three test positions, and expressed in absolute angular errors. In sitting/prone positions, concentric and eccentric repositionings were performed. Standing tests involved unilateral and bilateral squats. Reference values in sitting position were between 2.7°-3.7°, in prone 4.0°-4.9°, and in standing, between 2.4°-3.0° in unipedal and 3.0°-4.3° in bipedal. Significantly higher errors were found in prone position, compared to sitting and standing (p < 0.001). Bipedal tests produced significantly higher errors than unipedal (p = 0.001). At 45°, errors were in general higher in sitting/prone, but lower in standing tests (p < 0.05). Errors were not different between concentric/eccentric repositionings, dominant/non-dominant limbs, and male/female participants (p > 0.05). Reference data was provided covering different knee joint-position sense assessments. Regarding protocol-related factors: prone position produced higher errors; extreme angles produced lower errors in sitting/prone tests, but higher in standing, in which bipedal tests produced more errors than unipedal. Individual factors seem not to influence knee joint-position sense.