liiketunnon

Liiketunnon is a Finnish term used to describe the kinaesthetic sense, the body's ability to perceive and regulate movement and position. It involves awareness of limb position, movement, speed, and coordination, based on sensory information from muscles and tendons (proprioceptors), joints, and the vestibular system. This sense supports motor control without reliance on vision, contributing to smooth movement, balance, and motor learning in daily activities, sports, and rehabilitation.

Etymology and scope: The term combines liikettä meaning movement and tunto meaning sense or feeling. In Finnish-language physiology, psychology, and physical education literature, liiketunnon is used to discuss proprioceptive awareness, though English-language sources typically use proprioception or kinesthesis. The term is not standardized internationally and may be used variably across authors.

Applications and assessment: Liiketunnon is a focus in rehabilitation, sports science, and ergonomics. It is commonly examined with tests of joint position sense, detection of passive motion, and kinesthetic discrimination. Training often includes balance work, proprioceptive exercises, and sport-specific drills designed to enhance body awareness and coordinative performance.

Limitations and relation to other concepts: As a descriptive term, liiketunnon does not denote a distinct clinical diagnosis. It overlaps with the broader concept of proprioception and with kinaesthesis, which emphasizes the subjective experience of movement. In practice, the term serves as a bridge between everyday language and scientific discussion in Finnish.