Relationship between Tilt Sensation Ability and Lower Limb Injuries in Junior Athletes

Maki Tanaka (), Yuka Inoue, Megumi Gonno, Teruo Nomura, Kyosuke Oku, Tomoyuki Matsui, Machiko Hiramoto, Tetsuya Miyazaki, Hitoshi Koda, Yuya Watanabe, Yoshihiro Kai, Toru Morihara and Noriyuki Kida
Additional contact information
Maki Tanaka: Department of Childhood Education, Faculty of Human Development and Education, Kyoto Tachibana University, 34 Yamada-cho, Oyake, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8175, Japan
Yuka Inoue: Underprograms of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Hashikami-cho, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
Megumi Gonno: Department of Childhood Education, Faculty of Childhood Education, Nagoya Women’s University, 3-40 Shioji-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi 467-8610, Japan
Teruo Nomura: Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Hashikami-cho, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
Kyosuke Oku: Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Hashikami-cho, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
Tomoyuki Matsui: Marutamachi Rehabilitation Clinic, 12 Nishinokyo Kurumazakacho Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8405, Japan
Machiko Hiramoto: Marutamachi Rehabilitation Clinic, 12 Nishinokyo Kurumazakacho Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8405, Japan
Tetsuya Miyazaki: Marutamachi Rehabilitation Clinic, 12 Nishinokyo Kurumazakacho Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8405, Japan
Hitoshi Koda: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kansai University of Welfare Sciences, Asahigaoka 3-11-1, Kashiwara-shi 582-0026, Japan
Yuya Watanabe: Department of Sports Study, Faculty of Sport Study, Biwako Seikei Sport College, 1204 Kitahira, Otsu-shi 520-0503, Japan
Yoshihiro Kai: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyoto Tachibana University, 34 Yamada-cho, Oyake, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8175, Japan
Toru Morihara: Marutamachi Rehabilitation Clinic, 12 Nishinokyo Kurumazakacho Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8405, Japan
Noriyuki Kida: Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Hashikami-cho, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 7, 1-11

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to devise a tilt sensation measurement method to evaluate ankle proprioception and to examine its reliability. It was also used to determine the relationship among tilt sensation abilities, physical development, and lower limb injuries in junior athletes. In this study, a step platform created tilt angles. Participants with eye masks answered “yes” or “no” to sensing a tilt, evaluated over nine or seven trials. Experiment 1 involved 22 university students (20.6 ± 0.9 years). The minimum angle at which a tilt could be sensed while standing on both feet was determined, and measurements were taken again to examine reliability. Experiment 2 involved 40 junior athletes (12.3 ± 2.0 years), where the minimum angle for tilt sensation was obtained, and medical checks were conducted to assess injuries in the knee, lower leg, and foot. Reliability studies showed a moderately significant correlation between the first and second sessions ( r = 0.504, p = 0.017), suggesting the reliability of the experimental method. The proportion capable of sensing a tilt of 1.1° and 1.6° was significantly higher in junior high school students than in elementary school students (1.1°; χ 2 = 8.839, p = 0.003. 1.6°; χ 2 = 4.038, p = 0.044). The group unable to sense a tilt of 1.6° and 2.1° had a significantly higher positive rate of knee injuries compared to the sensed group among junior high school students (1.6°; χ 2 = 4.622, p = 0.032. 2.1°; χ 2 = 4.622, p = 0.032). Our findings suggested that a reduced tilt sensation ability was associated with knee injuries in junior high school students. Utilizing our devised tilt sensation assessment could play a crucial role in preventing and detecting early injuries in junior high school students.

Keywords: tilt sensation ability; proprioception; lower limb injuries; junior athletes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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