Relationship between lower limb joint position sense and dynamic balance ability:A study using the Y-Balance Test

Abstract

Objective: To clarify the relationship between joint position sense in the lower limbs and the Y-Balance Test (YBT), an indicator of dynamic balance, in healthy individuals.

Methods: Forty-five young healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Joint position sense in the hip, knee, and ankle joints was measured in the flexion-extension direction, and the YBT was administered. The results of joint position sense in each joint were analyzed for their correlation with the performance of the YBT in each direction.

Results: Moderate negative correlations were observed between hip joint position sense error and the scores of the forward (r＝−0.46), posterior-medial (r＝−0.41), and composite directions (r＝−0.44) of the YBT. No associations were found between knee joint and ankle joint position sense and the YBT scores.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that hip joint position sense may be involved in dynamic balance control during the YBT.