Is Glenohumeral Joint Proprioception Affected by Hand Preference?

Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is a difference between the sense of movement
of the glenohumeral joint of the dominant extremity and the sense of movement of the non-dominant
extremity.
Patientss and Methods: In the study, 20 healthy and sedentary, volunteer participants (10 males,
10 females) who did not have shoulder problems were included. Mean age of the participants were
23.60±3.64 years. Data collection were performed between July 6, 2020 and August 3, 2020. The sense
of movement of the dominant and non-dominant extremities of the glenohumeral joint was measured for
the participants. The measurement of sense of movement was done by using an isokinetic dynamometer
by measuring the passive sense of movement threshold value at an angular speed of 0.1°/s. The sense
of movement measurement was performed towards four directions: from 0° (0°-IR) and from 30° (30°-IR)
to internal rotation direction, and from 0° (0°-ER) and from 30 ° (30°-ER) to external rotation direction.
Results: The sense of movement of the participants for internal rotation at angles and directions of 0°-IR,
30°-IR were respectively 1.27±0.47, 1.30±0.45, and for external rotation at angles and directions of 0°-
ER, 30°-ER were respectively 1.25±0.39, 1.41±0.32 for the dominant side extremity, for internal rotation at
angles and directions of 0°-IR, 30°-IR were respectively 1.33±0,59°, 1.37±0,49°, and for external rotation
at angles and directions of 0°-ER, 30°-ER were respectively 1.39±0,49°, 1.18±0,42° for the non-dominant
side extremity. For neither of the two extremities, the differences between the sense of movement were
statistically significant (p<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of the study, shoulder proprioception of dominant and non-dominant
extremities is not different. The goal of proprioception in the rehabilitation of shoulder-related injuries;
regardless of whether the injured extremity is dominant or not, may be determined according to the
shoulder proprioception of the sturdy extremity .