90110
document
Effect of age and activity on knee joint proprioception . Falls lead to significant morbidity and mortality in persons older than 65 years of age . Impaired proprioception may be a contributing factor to falls , and this may be influenced by the level of habitual physical activity . The primary purpose of this study was to investigate knee joint proprioception among young volunteers and active and sedentary elderly volunteers . Knee joint proprioception was measured through reproduction of static knee angles using a Penny and Giles electrogoniometer . The secondary purpose of this investigation was to test the reproducibility of the Penny and Giles electrogoniometer in measuring static knee angles . Sixteen young subjects ( age range , 19-27 years ) and 24 elderly subjects ( age range , 60-86 years ) participated . Subjects were given a screening history and physical examination to exclude neuromuscular or vestibular disorders or lower limb injuries . Knee joint proprioception was measured two times during one week . The elderly group was separated into active and sedentary subgroups based on their level of activity during the past year . The electrogoniometer was placed laterally across the dominant knee joint . From the prone position each subject attained one of ten randomly predetermined knee joint angles from 10 degrees to 60 degrees . The subject then returned to the starting position and reproduced the test angle . The absolute angular error ( the absolute difference between the test angle and subject perceived angle of knee flexion ) was determined . A positive correlation was found between control visits for all subjects ( r = 0.88 ) , and significant differences were observed between young ( mean , 2.01 +/- 0.46 degrees ) and active-fold ( mean , 3.12 +/- 1.12 degrees ; P < 0.001 ) , young and sedentary-old ( mean , 4.58 +/- 1.93 degrees ; P < 0.001 ) , and active-old and sedentary-old ( P < 0.03 ) . These findings demonstrate that the Penny and Giles electrogoniometer is a reproducible device for measuring knee joint angles in both young and elderly subjects . Furthermore , we found that proprioception is diminished with age and that regular activity may attenuate this decline . One strategy to reduce the incidence of poor proprioception and fall with ageing may be regular exercise .
90111
Intervention_Physical
Penny and Giles electrogoniometer
90112
Intervention_Physical
Penny and Giles electrogoniometer
90113
Outcome_Physical
knee joint proprioception .
90114
Outcome_Adverse-effects
morbidity
90115
Outcome_Mortality
mortality
90116
Outcome_Physical
Knee joint proprioception
90117
Outcome_Other
reproducibility of the Penny and Giles electrogoniometer
90118
Outcome_Physical
measuring static knee angles .
90119
Outcome_Physical
Knee joint proprioception
90120
Outcome_Physical
absolute angular error
90121
Outcome_Physical
proprioception
90122
Outcome_Physical
proprioception
90123
Participant_Condition
persons older than 65 years of age .
90124
Participant_Condition
knee joint proprioception among young volunteers and active and sedentary elderly volunteers .