How Long Can Joint Position Sense Be Retained in Memory by Young Healthy Subjects?

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate how long joint position sense (JPS) can be retained in memory. [Subjects] Eleven healthy subjects (5 men and 6 women) were enrolled in this study. [Methods] Subjects memorized a specific joint position visually, and then they were asked to reproduce without visual aid the position at 3 different time intervals: immediately, 5 minutes post-memorization, and 30 minutes post-memorization. [Results] Differences in JPS between time intervals of immediate and 30 minutes post-memorization were statistically significant with the exception of knee flexion at 60° with a 5 kg load. Differences in reproduced JPS between time intervals of immediately and 5 minutes post-memorization were not statistically significant. [Conclusions] The results suggest that JPS can be retained in memory for approximately 5 minutes.