Influence of hamstrings flexibility on the knee joint position sense

Abstract

Introduction: Different factors have been suggested to positively or negatively influence the knee joint position sense; however, the effect of hamstrings’ flexibility is poorly investigated. Objective: To investigate the influence of hamstrings’ flexibility on the knee joint position sense. Methods: Knee joint position sense of 31 adults was tested actively to extension for the range of 45º of knee flexion, in both the dominant and non-dominant limb. Hamstring’s flexibility was assessed through the sit and reach test, and considering these results, participants were divided into high and low flexibility categories. Intergroup analysis and the association between flexibility and repositioning errors were performed. Results: No significant differences were found between flexibility categories and repositioning accuracy. Similarly, no significant associations were found between flexibility and the repositioning errors (p>0.05). Conclusions: These results propose that hamstrings’ flexibility does not influence the knee repositioning accuracy, suggesting that both a lower or higher flexibility does not impair the knee joint position sense.