Proprioceptive function of the shoulder girdle in healthy volunteers

In 27 healthy volunteers (9 females, 18 males) we evaluated the proprioceptive function of the glenohumeral joint. The volunteers were asked to place the arm in different positions with and without visual control. The test was performed for the dominant and for the nondominant extremity. The following joint positions were measured: 50 degrees, 100 degrees, 150 degrees abduction; 50 degrees, 100 degrees, 150 degrees flexion; +45 degrees, 0 degrees, -45 degrees rotation in 90 degrees abduction. Joint position was documented with a motion-analyzing system with passive reflecting markers. The results showed significant differences between the measurements with and without visual control. Proprioception was worse below the shoulder level (50 degrees abduction, flexion). Two volunteers with generally good coordinative capabilities showed better results than the rest of the group. We observed no differences between dominant and nondominant extremities nor between males and females. Our results demonstrated low variance of the proprioceptive function of the glenohumeral joint in healthy volunteers. Our findings serve as a base for further evaluations in different patients' populations.