Evaluating the effact of eight weeks strength and plyometric trainings on knee joint position sense

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.