Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the difference of knee proprioception while tested under closed and open kinetic chain. Methods: Thirty healthy young subjects were asked to replicate target knee joint angles using active and passive knee extension movements in open kinetic chain, which completed in sitting and prone (non-axially loaded) positions. Additionally, subjects were asked to push down resistance (about 15% of body weight) completed in supine position through the long axis of the tibia (axially loaded). The testing angle ranged from 0° to 90° of knee flexion and each subject performed three trials in each condition. Absolute error (AE), variable error (VE), and root mean square error (RMS) were the determinant data. Results: The results of this study indicated that young healthy subjects lower error in active closed-chain (AE=2.12°, VE=1.89°, RMS=2.52°) and active open-chain positions (AE=2.29°, VE=2.17°, RMS=2.99°), but showed higher error in passive open-chain positions (AE=3.98°, VE=3.75°, RMS=4.59°). All of the errors are significantly different between the movements in active-closed and in passive-open chain, as well as between that in active and passive-open chain. But there was no significant difference between that in active-closed and in active-open chain. Conclusions: Assessment of knee proprioception in active-closed chain resulted in less error and variance.
Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the difference of knee proprioception while tested under closed and open kinetic chain. Methods: Thirty healthy young subjects were asked to replicate target knee joint angles using active and passive knee extension movements in open kinetic chain, which completed in sitting and prone (non-axially loaded) positions. Additionally, subjects were asked to push down resistance (about 15% of body weight) completed in supine position through the long axis of the tibia (axially loaded). The testing angle ranged from 0° to 90° of knee flexion and each subject performed three trials in each condition. Absolute error (AE), variable error (VE), and root mean square error (RMS) were the determinant data. Results: The results of this study indicated that young healthy subjects lower error in active closed-chain (AE=2.12°, VE=1.89°, RMS=2.52°) and active open-chain positions (AE=2.29°, VE=2.17°, RMS=2.99°), but showed higher error in passive open-chain positions (AE=3.98°, VE=3.75°, RMS=4.59°). All of the errors are significantly different between the movements in active-closed and in passive-open chain, as well as between that in active and passive-open chain. But there was no significant difference between that in active-closed and in active-open chain. Conclusions: Assessment of knee proprioception in active-closed chain resulted in less error and variance.