The kinaesthetic sense, also known as the movement sense, is a type of somatosensory system that is responsible for providing information about the body’s position, orientation, and movement. It is the sense that allows us to be aware of and control our movements, as well as the amount of force we apply to an object. The kinaesthetic sense is essential for activities such as walking, running, and writing.
The kinaesthetic sense is made up of a variety of different types of receptors, including muscle spindles, joint receptors, and cutaneous receptors. Muscle spindles are sensory receptors located within the muscles that detect changes in muscle length and tension. Joint receptors are located in the joints and detect changes in joint position and orientation. Cutaneous receptors are located in the skin and detect changes in pressure and texture.
The kinaesthetic sense is closely linked to the sense of proprioception, which is the awareness of the body’s position and orientation in space. Proprioception is essential for activities such as walking and running, as it allows us to move our bodies without looking at them. The kinaesthetic sense is also linked to the sense of kinesthesia, which is the awareness of the body’s movement and force. Kinesthesia is important for activities such as writing, as it allows us to control the amount of force we apply to an object.
The kinaesthetic sense is essential for many activities, such as walking, running, and writing. Without the kinaesthetic sense, people would be unable to control their movements and the amount of force they apply to objects. In addition, the kinaesthetic sense is important for activities such as dancing, playing sports, and performing surgeries.
For further reading on the kinaesthetic sense, please see the following scientific journal articles:
• Tschakovsky, M. E., & Bagley, A. M. (2013). Kinaesthetic sensing in human movement. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 41(2), 57–64. https://doi.org/10.1097/JES.0b013e31827b9376
• Gordon, A. M., Shulman, G. L., & O’Leary, D. S. (2017). Kinaesthetic sensing in the control of movement. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 46, 24–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2017.06.010
• Dietz, V., & Beckerle, P. (2015). Kinaesthetic sensing in human locomotion. Journal of Neurophysiology, 114(2), 474–482. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00347.2015