Gender differences in static and dynamic knee proprioception among young adults with non-specific low back pain: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) has been associated with proprioceptive deficits that may also affect the knee joint.

Objective

This study aimed to examine knee proprioception in young adults with NSLBP and to assess dynamic postural stability using the Biodex Balance System (BBS). It further explored whether gender influences these outcomes.

Methods

Eighty-eight participants, aged 18 to 26 years with a body mass index under 30 kg/m² and diagnosed with NSLBP, were recruited. They were assigned to male (n = 44) and female (n = 44) groups. Assessments included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), knee joint repositioning error (JPE) measured with a digital inclinometer, and dynamic balance evaluated with the BBS. The BBS provided overall stability index (OSI), anterior–posterior index (API), and medial–lateral index (MLI) scores. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results

There were no significant gender differences in JPE (males: 30.97 ± 3.62; females: 30.28 ± 5.42, p > 0.05) or ODI. BBS outcomes, however, showed elevated OSI (4.2 ± 1.1 compared with 2.5 ± 0.5 in healthy controls, p < 0.01), API (3.8 ± 0.9 compared with 2.0 ± 0.4, p < 0.01), and MLI (3.5 ± 0.8 compared with 1.8 ± 0.3, p < 0.01), indicating impaired dynamic balance. No significant gender differences were observed in BBS indices.

Conclusion

NSLBP significantly impairs dynamic knee proprioception, as demonstrated by BBS findings. Gender did not influence proprioceptive performance in this cohort.