Three-dimensional motion analysis in the elbow joint position sense in children

J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Dec;28(12):3313-3315. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.3313. Epub 2016 Dec 27.

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in elbow joint position sense in children. [Subjects and Methods] Nineteen healthy children volunteered as subjects for this study. Joint position sense was assessed by asking the children to flex their elbows between 30° to 110° while blindfolded. The error range of elbow movement was analyzed with Compact Measuring System 10 for three-dimensional motion. To analyze data, descriptive statistics and paired t-test analysis were performed by using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0. [Results] A significantly lower error was found in 30° right elbow flexion than 110° right elbow flexion (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between 30° and 110° left elbow flexion. [Conclusion] These results indicate that in children, joint position sense errors decrease as joint angles approach 30° flexion.

Keywords: Children; Elbow; Joint position sense.