Does knee joint proprioception differ according to age and gender in healthy adults?

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the effects of age and gender on knee joint position sense (KJPS) and movement sense (KJMS) in healthy adults.

METHODS

General physical activity was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-Sf) and the Tegner Activity Scale (TAS). Knee discomfort was measured with the Lysholm Knee Score (LKS), and knee-related symptoms and functional status were assessed using the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Knee joint position sense (KJPS) was tested at 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60°, while knee joint movement sense (KJMS) was evaluated at 60° and 90°. Participants were categorized by gender (male, female) and age (18-29, 30-44, ≥ 45 years). Mixed-effects models were applied to analyze numerical data, and post hoc comparisons were conducted using least-squares means with Tukey's correction when appropriate.

RESULTS

The mean scores were KOOS = 96.41 ± 4.79, LKS = 96.41 ± 6.94, and IPAQ-Sf = 1772.02 ± 1332.10. Absolute errors for KJPS angles ranged from 2.58 to 3.42 between genders. KJMS at 60°-90° was measured between 1.82 and 1.95 s in males, and between 1.66 and 1.80 s in females. Significant differences in KJMS (60°-90°) were observed across age groups (F = 14.841, p < 0.001) and position-sense angles (F = 19.645, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

KJPS assessment revealed significant differences in absolute errors by age and gender. Males demonstrated lower errors, while participants aged ≥ 45 years exhibited greater deviations than younger groups. No gender differences were identified in KJMS. Overall, proprioception declined significantly in the 45+ age group.