Position sense acuity across shoulder rotational range of motion in healthy young subjects

Objective: To determine the position sense acuity across shoulder rotational range of motion in healthy subjects. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Sports Medicine Department, Manipal hospital, Bangalore. Participants: Thirty healthy subjects with right hand dominance. Method: The ability of the subjects to replicate two criterion positions (mid-range and outer range) was examined in subjects' shoulder joints by using a standard goniometer. 50% and 90% range of total passive shoulder rotational range of motion were the two criterion positions. The difference between the test range of motion and repositioning range of motion indicates the position sense acuity. Results: There was a better position sense acuity in 90% range compared to that at 50% and was more in dominant shoulder than nondominant shoulder. Conclusion: Outer range shoulder rotational range of motion has minimum error in position sense acuity due to the tension in the peri articular structures of shoulder joint.