Comparison of cervical repositioning error between basketball and badminton players and control group

Proprioception is a type of feedback from limbs to CNS which defines a sensory tools to contribute position sense and movement sense. Precise and controlled movements are important sections of sports and activity daily living which needs to accurate information of proprioception. High concentration of proprioceptors are reported in cervical spine, sacroiliac and ankle joint. The purpose of this study was to compare repositioning error of cervical spine on high level badminton and basketball players and healthy subjects. Twenty female basketball players (23.40 years old), 20 female badminton players (24.81years old) and 20 healthy female (24,95years old) subjects were recruited to participate in this study. Cervical total range of motion (ROM) and repositioning error in target angle (30% of full ROM in each movement) of flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion and rotation were measured by CROM apparatus. Our results indicate that two groups of athletes has significant differences with non-athletic subjects in flexion, extension, left lateral flexion and ro tation and there were significant differences in right lateral flexion and right rotation between badminton players and non-athletic subjects (P<0.005). Cervical proprioception may improve with specific sport movements. Basketball and badminton are non-contact sports that needs to eye and hand coordination, as our results showed that the cervical repositioning error was decreased in athletics related to non-athletic subjects, the mentioned sports may improve proprioception.