The influence of joint hypermobility on functional movement control in an elite netball population: A preliminary cohort study

• Published in: Physical therapy in sport Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 127 - 134
• Main Authors: Soper, Kessie, Simmonds, Jane V, Kaz Kaz, Hanadi, Ninis, Nelly
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2015; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age; Athletes; Balance; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Flexibility; Humans; Hypermobility; Joint Instability - epidemiology; Joint Instability - physiopathology; Laxity; Male; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Physical therapy; Population; Postural Balance - physiology; Prevalence; Questionnaires; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Rugby; Sport; Sports; Sports injuries; Sports Medicine; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Sport; Laxity; Hypermobility; Balance
• ISSN: 1466-853X; 1873-1600
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2014.07.002

Abstract Objectives To ascertain the prevalence of General Joint Hypermobility (GJH) and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) in elite level netballers. To investigate whether GJH influences functional movement control and explore whether symptoms of dysautonomia are reported in this population. Design Observational within-subject cross-sectional design. Setting Field based study. Participants 27 elite level netballers (14–26 years). Main outcome measures GJH and JHS were assessed using the Beighton scale, 5 point questionnaire and the Brighton Criteria. Functional movement control was measured using posturography on a force platform and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Results The prevalence of GJH was 63% ( n  = 17) (Beighton score ≥4/9) and JHS was 15% ( n  = 4). Symptoms of dysautonomia were minimally prevalent. A trend was observed in which participants with GJH demonstrated increased postural instability on the functional tests. Following Bonferroni adjustment, this was statistically significant only when comparing posturographic data between the distinctly hypermobile participants and the rest of the group for path area ( p  = 0.002) and velocity ( p  = 0.002) on the left side. Conclusions A high prevalence of GJH was observed. A trend towards impairment of functional movement control was observed in the netballers with GJH. This observation did not reach statistical significance except for posturographic path area and velocity.