STUDY ON THE EVALUATION OF KNEE JOINT PROPRIOCEPTION WITH A FOCUS ON HAMSTRING FUNCTION

This study was performed to establish a simple method to evaluate knee joint proprioception by examining knee-bending angle, in which Lombard's Paradox phenomenon could be confirmed. ill 8 extremities of 7 patients with ACL injured who were diagnosed with ACL rupture at a medical facility (ACL injured group) and 10 extremities of 10 healthy adults (control group). As a result. knee joint proprioception in the ACL injured group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Significantly more incidence of Lombard's Paradox phenomenon was confirmed at the knee-extension position in the ACL injured group (P<0.01), compared with the control group. Significant negative correlation was confirmed between the reproductive angle inaccuracy of joint position sensation, a marker of knee joint proprioception, and Lombard's Paradox phenomenon under the conditions of r=-0.58 and the risk rate of 5%. Based on the results of this study, it was suggested that the knee-bending angle, in which Lombard's Paradox phenomenon was confirmed. would be affected by knee joint proprioception through feedback from the ACL mechanoreceptors, and the angle might be used as a simple evaluation method for knee joint proprioception. (Jpn. J. Phys. Fitness Sports Med. 2009, 58 : 229 similar to 238)