Abstract
The somatosensory system is known to play an important role in the performance of precise and coordinated fine and gross movements. Proprioception, a submodality of the somatosensory system, is the awareness of body and limb position and movement. Proprioception is strongly linked to human motor control, motor learning, and motor development. In light of the reciprocity between proprioception and motor functions, this paper discusses their relationships from a neural motor control perspective. We first introduce the terms proprioception and kinesthesia, along with their definitions, evaluations (e.g., active versus passive position and motion sense methods), and outcome measurements (e.g., proprioceptive sensitivity versus acuity) commonly used in the literature. We also refer to a theoretical framework (i.e., an internal model) that delineates the importance of proprioception for human motor control. We then review the available studies on the developmental course of proprioception and its relation to different domains of motor skills in typically and atypically developing children (i.e., those with developmental coordination disorder). Furthermore, we provide empirical evidence on how motor learning could affect the proprioceptive and motor systems and what types of active proprioceptive motor training (i.e., dance and yoga) could significantly enhance proprioception and movements of the body and limbs. The possible neural pathways that account for the relationship between somatosensory and motor systems are also discussed. Finally, future directions in assessment, methodology, and training/intervention related to proprioceptive and motor systems are considered. This review paper synthesizing the available empirical evidence on somatosensory plasticity and motor functions may be applicable to assessments and interventions in research, clinical, and educational settings.