Sex Differences in Lower Limb Proprioception and Mechanical Function Among Healthy Adults

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Physiology
• Sports Science

Background:

• Neuromuscular coordination and joint kinetic sense are crucial for athletic performance.
• Menstrual cycle phases can influence female physiological responses, potentially affecting motor control and strength.
• Understanding sex-based differences in lower limb function is vital for injury prevention and training optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare joint kinetic sense, neuromuscular coordination, and isokinetic muscle strength between healthy males and females.
• To evaluate differences in these parameters among females across follicular, ovulatory, and luteal menstrual cycle phases.
• To identify sex-specific and menstrual cycle-dependent variations in lower limb proprioception and muscle function.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-four healthy adults (12 males, 12 females) participated.
• Females completed assessments across three menstrual cycle phases: follicular, ovulatory, and luteal.
• Measures included the square-hop test, ankle/knee proprioception (electric-driven movable frame), and isokinetic muscle strength (Biodex computerized dynamometer).

Main Results:

• Significant differences were observed in the square-hop test, ankle/knee proprioception, and isokinetic muscle strength between males and females.
• Females exhibited significant differences in ankle/knee proprioception and isokinetic strength across menstrual cycle phases.
• Specifically, females demonstrated superior lower limb proprioception during the ovulatory and luteal phases compared to the follicular phase.

Conclusions:

• There are notable sex differences in lower limb proprioception and mechanical function.
• Female lower limb proprioception and muscle strength vary significantly across different phases of the menstrual cycle.
• These findings highlight the importance of considering both sex and menstrual cycle phase in the assessment of lower limb function.