Reliability and precision of hip proprioception methods in healthy individuals.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to establish the intrasession and intersession reliability and precision of threshold to detect passive motion (TTDPM), force sense (FS), and active joint position sense (JPS) tests for the hip in healthy individuals.


METHODS
Descriptive laboratory study.


METHODS
Research laboratory.


METHODS
Data were collected on 20 subjects between the ages of 18 and 30 years. They were physically active and had no history of major lower extremity injury or surgery or hip injuries.


METHODS
Threshold to detect passive motion, FS, and active JPS were measured using a Biodex System 3 and a Vicon Motion Analysis System.


METHODS
Error scores were calculated as the absolute difference between the reference and reproduction values. Intraclass correlation (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) were used to assess intrasession and intersession reliability and precision.


RESULTS
Adduction showed good reliability for JPS, with an intersession ICC (SEM) of 0.753 (0.248 degrees). For TTDPM, abduction showed an intrasession ICC (SEM) of 0.825 (0.256 degrees) and adduction had an intrasession ICC (SEM) of 0.765 (0.266 degrees). The intersession ICCs (SEM) were as follows: flexion 0.810 (0.143 degrees), extension 0.777 (0.195 degrees), abduction 0.906 (0.176 degrees), and adduction 0.893 (0.144 degrees). Flexion showed a good intersession ICC for FS: 0.764 (0.932 Nm).


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that a reliable and precise method of measuring hip TTDPM has been established. Further investigation is necessary to develop reliable and precise measurement methods for FS and active JPS of the hip and to identify if TTDPM is related to hip kinematics, hip kinetics, and muscle activation about the hip during functional tasks.
Benjaminse
Anne
A
Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203, USA.
Sell
Timothy C
TC
Abt
John P
JP
House
Anthony J
AJ
Lephart
Scott M
SM
D000328:Adult; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult