Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of eight weeks strength and
plyometric trainings on knee joint position sense. In this study, 45 male students
(21.7±2.17years, weight 69.7±7.89 kg, and height 177.2±5.83cm) volunteered
and selected as subjects to participate in this semi-empirical study. Subjects
divided in three groups include strength (n=15), plyometric (n=15) and control
(n=15). Strength group trained squat, leg flexion and leg extension and
plyometric group trained depth jump, Split squat jump, rim jump and box to box
depth jump. Joint position sense measured at three angles 30, 45 and 60
degrees in knee joint by Biodex Isokenitic system 3. One-way ANOVA was
used for analysis of data. Results of study showed that trainings significantly
improve the joint position sense in initial angel (30degree) on active
reproduction and in initial and final angels (30 and 60 degrees) on passive
reproduction. In addition, comparison of trainings revealed that strength training
in 30 degrees and plyometric training in 30 and 60 degrees significantly improve
the joint position sense. Between two methods of training only on passive
reproduction at 60 degree, significantly difference was observed (p≤0.05).
These protocols can use in rehabilitation to improve proprioception and
neuromuscular coordination.