DIFFERENCES IN KNEE SENSORIMOTOR CONTROL BY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL AND SEX

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neuroscience
• Human Movement Science

Background:

• Knee sensorimotor control is crucial for joint stability and function.
• Understanding sex-based differences in sensorimotor control can inform injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare knee sensorimotor control between healthy men and women.
• To investigate the influence of sex and physical activity level on joint position sense (JPS), muscle steadiness, and onset of muscle activation (OMA).

Main Methods:

• Assessed JPS using electrogoniometers across three knee ranges of motion.
• Measured muscle steadiness via isometric steadiness technique.
• Evaluated OMA against mechanical perturbation in 24 women and 27 men.

Main Results:

• Men showed significantly better JPS than women in specific knee flexion angles (90º-60º and 30º-0º).
• Higher physical activity levels correlated with improved JPS in these ranges.
• Women and higher physically active individuals exhibited superior muscle steadiness.
• No significant sex differences were observed in OMA.

Conclusions:

• Higher physical activity levels may enhance overall sensorimotor control.
• Men possess superior joint position sense, while women demonstrate better muscle strength control.
• These findings highlight sex-specific characteristics in knee sensorimotor control mechanisms.