Kinaesthetic Sensitivity to Passive Movements and its Relationship to Motor Development and Motor Control

Abstract

A test of kinaesthetic sensitivity to passive movements of the upper limbs was constructed consisting of two tasks: position and movement discrimination, and movement pattern perception and memory. 475 subjects ranging in age from five years to adult were tested and developmental trends were established. The test was found to be a useful tool in measuring the kinaesthetic sensitivity of normal subjects, as well as of intellectually and physically handicapped children. Results for right and left arms did not differ in the test of kinaesthetic perception and memory. Kinaesthetic sensitivity was found to be correlated with everyday motor functions involving fine manual control, as well as with co-ordinated gross body movements.