Characterization of Ankle Proprioception in Healthy Older Adults

Abstract

This study aimed to establish a typical dataset of ankle proprioception in a healthy aging population. Proprioception is the awareness of the body in space. Proprioception at the ankle joint is particularly important for balance and gait. When proprioception is compromised from neurological disorders (i.e. Parkinson's disease), these motor functions are impaired. There is no established dataset of ankle proprioception in a healthy aging population. Characterizing ankle proprioception will allow clinicians to monitor disease progression and researchers to monitor treatment efficacy in people with proprioceptive impairment. The Ankle Proprioceptive Acuity System (APAS) device was used to quantify ankle proprioception with a sensitivity of 0.1°. Participants were put through a number of trials that consisted of moving the foot to two different positions within the APAS. The participant then answered, “In which position, the first or the second, were your toes closer to the floor?” Further analysis revealed ankle proprioception was similar between age groups for all measures of acuity with mean values of proprioceptive acuity nearly identical. It was concluded that age does not contribute to a decline in ankle proprioception up until the age of 79 years. The completed data collection allowed for the establishment of a control group. In future work, this control dataset will be compared to individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Identifying trends in ankle proprioception are important in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and determining the efficacy of interventions aimed at improving proprioception.