observation of an AE of 2.07°±0.98°. Heit and coworkers’
(1996) methods utilized a Cybex II™
electronic goniometer, which required foot straps to
hold the foot in place while testing. It is possible that
these straps may have provided additional cutaneous
feedback cues to the subject during the reproduction
task, thus facilitating the subject’s ability to more
accurately reposition themselves to the previous
target position. This may offer one explanation for
the difference in their findings. Unlike the present
study design, which utilized randomly selected
target positions with each individual trial, Heit and
co-workers used predetermined target positions that
were repeated over a sequence of trials. By repeating
these predetermined target positions, it is possible
that a learning effect could have been introduced,
thus enabling the subjects to improve (decrease)
absolute error scores over the duration of their four
trial sequence. Another difference between these
studies can be seen in the positioning of the subject.
It has been suggested that gravitational positioning
may have an affect RJPS measures (Brock, 1994).
The subjects in this study were seated vertically to
eliminate any possible gravitational effects that may
have accompanied lying prone during non-weight
bearing testing, dissimilar to Heit and co-workers’
methods.
The present results also differ with the
findings of Simoneau and co-workers (1997), who
witnessed significant change in RJPS error in plantar
flexion upon application of two five inch strips of
white athletic tape applied to the lower leg. Strips of
white athletic tape were placed along the Achilles
tendon and down the anterior aspect of the ankle.
Simoneau and co-workers’ (1997) findings indicated
that proprioception, as assessed by RJPS, might have
been facilitated through the increase in cutaneous
feedback supplied by the two strips of athletic tape.
However, the findings of this study do not concur.
Again, as was the case in Heit et al.'s study,
subjects in Simoneau and co-workers’ study were
positioned to a predetermined target position for four
consecutive trials, possibly introducing a learning
effect. Finally, Simoneau placed two straps around
each calf to ensure accurate foot positioning
throughout the duration of his data collection.
However, it is reasonable to believe these straps may
have influenced cutaneous feedback in the ankle due
to their contact with the gastrocnemius and soleus
muscles (primary plantarflexors of the foot). With
this increased cutaneous feedback and possible
mechanical restriction, it is plausible that the
subjects’ ability to actively recreate target position
was affected.