Step 1: Sensory information is carried by nerve fibres classified by diameter and conduction velocity. Proprioception (joint position sense) and vibration sense travel via the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway and use large, heavily myelinated, fast-conducting fibres.
Step 2: These large fibres are the A alpha group (also called group Ia and Ib in the muscle-spindle and Golgi-tendon afferent classification). Their large diameter gives the fastest conduction, suiting the rapid, precise signalling required for proprioception and vibration.
Step 3: The distractors carry other modalities: A beta fibres carry touch and pressure, A gamma fibres are motor to intrafusal muscle fibres, and B fibres are preganglionic autonomic. Hence joint position and vibration sense are carried by A alpha fibres.