Kessie Soper1, Jane V Simmonds2, Hanadi Kaz Kaz3, Nelly Ninis4. 1. University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK; Bodybalance Physiotherapy and Sports Injuries Clinic, University of Hertfordshire, De Havilland Campus, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9EU, UK. Electronic address: kessie.physio@gmail.com. 2. University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK; Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford St, London WC1N 1EH, UK. Electronic address: jane.simmonds@ucl.ac.uk. 3. Hypermobility Unit, Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, 60 Grove End Road, London NW8 9NH, UK; University College London Hospital, 235 Euston Road, London NW1 2BU, UK. 4. Hypermobility Unit, Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, 60 Grove End Road, London NW8 9NH, UK; Imperial Healthcare NHS trust, St Mary's Hospital, Praed St, London W2 1NY, UK.
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.
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.
Authors: Sarah Whitehead; Jonathon Weakley; Stuart Cormack; Helen Alfano; Jim Kerss; Mitch Mooney; Ben Jones Journal: Sports Med Date: 2021-06-04 Impact factor: 11.136