Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026
Evaluating the Function of the Foot Core System in the Elderly
Published on: March 11, 2022
Joint positioning sense, perceived force level and two-point discrimination tests of young and active elderly adults
Priscila G Franco1, Karini B Santos1, André L F Rodacki1
1Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, BR.
Background:
Changes in the proprioceptive system are associated with aging. Proprioception is important to maintaining and/or recovering balance and to reducing the risk of falls.
Objective:
To compare the performance of young and active elderly adults in three proprioceptive tests.
Method:
Twenty-one active elderly participants (66.9 ± 5.5 years) and 21 healthy young participants (24.6 ± 3.9 years) were evaluated in the following tests: perception of position of the ankle and hip joints, perceived force level of the ankle joint, and two-point discrimination of the sole of the foot.
Results:
No differences (p>0.05) were found between groups for the joint position and perceived force level. On the other hand, the elderly participants showed lower sensitivity in the two-point discrimination (higher threshold) when compared to the young participants (p < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Except for the cutaneous plantar sensitivity, the active elderly participants had maintained proprioception. Their physical activity status may explain similarities between groups for the joint position sense and perceived force level, however it may not be sufficient to prevent sensory degeneration with aging.
