Differences between arms and legs on position sense and joint reaction angle

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the arms and legs in relation to position sense and joint reaction angle. Position sense at 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees flexion as well as joint reaction angle to release from 20 degrees, 40 degrees, and 60 degrees flexion of the elbow and knee joint were evaluated in 12 healthy men. The measurements were performed over 3 consecutive days to minimize the error attributable to the variability of the measured parameters. During the assessment of position sense, subjects had to place their limb as closely as possible to the reference angle. The joint reaction angle was measured by a new test in which the subjects had to stop the fall of their limb as soon as possible after it was released. All measurements were performed in a common isokinetic dynamometer. The results of position sense showed that the arms were placed closer to the reference angle compared with the legs (1.3 degrees vs. 3.1 degrees on average for 3 angles, respectively; p < 0.05). The arms also exhibited faster reaction angle to release compared with legs (3.4 degrees vs. 6.3 degrees on average for 3 angles, respectively; p < 0.05). In conclusion, the ability of arms to perform more accurate and faster movements than legs may mainly be attributed to the higher number of muscle spindles and the lower innervation ratio of arms. An imbalance of the determined relationship between arms and legs in position sense and reaction angle may indicate a neuromuscular disturbance.