The effect of free fly expertise on cervical joint position sense: a pilot study

This study aimed to assess the effect of free fly expertise on cervical joint position sense. To this aim, four young elite freeflyers and 20 young sportsmen nonfreeflyers were asked to perform the cervicocephalic relocation test to the neutral head position. During the test, they had to reposition their head in a neutral position on their trunk, as accurately as possible, after full active cervical rotation to the left and right. Absolute and variable errors were used to assess accuracy and consistency of the repositioning for the two groups. Absolute and variable errors observed in the group of freeflyers were significantly lower than those observed in the group of nonfreeflyers. These results suggest a more accurate and consistent head repositioning performance in the group of freeflyers than in the group of nonfreeflyers. The present findings suggest that the cervical joint position sense could be improved through extensive specific sports training.