Force-Sense Testing
Participant positioning for force-sense testing was
identical to that for eversion strength testing. Force
matching was conducted at 20% and 30% of the average
eversion MVIC. We used low loads because the results of
previous research36 with larger forces (50% and 75%)
suggest that it was difficult for participants to sustain the
contraction of the target force for the required 5 seconds.
The participants used a digital readout to establish the
target force with the involved limb and then held the
contraction for 5 seconds before relaxing. They were then
asked to reproduce the force with eyes closed. Once the
participant thought the reference force had been reestablished,
he or she hit a trigger button that electronically
marked the data and maintained the contraction for 5 seconds.
A practice trial, followed by 3 test trials, was performed at
each force. A 30-second rest period was provided between
trials, and the order of test forces was counterbalanced. Dayto-day
reliability for this procedure with n 5 8 participants
was intraclass correlation coefficient [2, k] 5 0.84; standard
error of measurement 5 0.79 N.