Dynamic Joint Position Reproduction Task: The New Benchmark to Measure Proprioceptive Acuity in Motion

Proprioception, the ability to sense the position and movement of body parts in space, plays a crucial role in motor control, enabling the performance of precise and coordinated actions. Despite its importance, the current understanding of proprioception under dynamic conditions is still limited. Proprioceptive acuity has traditionally been assessed using static protocols, such as Joint Position Reproduction (JPR), which, although effective, do not fully capture the challenges and complexities of real-world dynamic movements. This thesis introduces and validates a novel assessment protocol, the Dynamic JPR (D-JPR), specifically designed to assess proprioceptive acuity in dynamic conditions. The aim is to fill the gap in the current literature by providing a tool that reflects the ecological demands of real-life tasks where proprioception is integral. First, an in-depth review of current knowledge of proprioception, its conceptual foundations, and physiological mechanisms is presented. It discusses the origins of proprioceptive theories, the role of proprioception in movement and performance, and the strengths and limitations of current assessment protocols. This framework provides the necessary context for understanding the contribution of the D-JPR protocol. The first study compared dynamic and static JPR protocols, in concentric and eccentric contractions. The second study investigated the reliability of the D-JPR protocol. Lastly, the third study investigates the relationship between position sense and force control. By implementing these objectives, this research aims to deepen the understanding of proprioception in dynamic contexts and provide a validated protocol for its assessment. Findings may inform future studies and applications in clinical, sport, and rehabilitation settings, and help develop more effective strategies for assessing and enhancing proprioceptive function.