Document Type : original article

Authors

1 Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

2 Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

3 Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabil, Ardabil, Iran

10.22038/ijp.2024.77924.5427

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Knee and ankle joint proprioception plays an important role in balance. Balance can also be influenced by non-environmental conditions such as anthropometric dimensions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between knee and ankle proprioception and anthropometric indicators in elementary school children.

Materials and methods: The present study is a semi-experimental type of research and its design is correlation. The statistical population of this research was all boy students in the second to the fifth grade of elementary schools in the north of Marand city, 160 of whom met the conditions to enter the research. Anthropometric dimensions were measured by calipers and scanners along with a tape measure, and photography was used for the accuracy of proprioception in ankle and knee joints (ICC ≤0.97). Data analysis was done by Pearson correlation test. All statistical calculations were done at a significance level of p≤0.05.

Results: There was a significant negative correlation between knee joint proprioceptive sense and thumb and third toe length difference (r=-0.240, p=0.030), as well as second and third toe length difference (p=0.022 r=-0.253). Also there was a significant negative correlation between ankle joint proprioception sense and foot width (r=0.363, p=0.001), ankle circumference (r=-0.240, p=0.030) and hip circumference (r=-0.242, p=0.02).

Conclusion: According to the results obtained in this study, the anthropometric dimensions that are subject to heredity and are least affected by the environment, are effective for developable and changeable functions such as proprioception sense.

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