Generalized joint hypermobility and perceived harmfulness in healthy adolescents; impact on muscle strength, motor performance and physical activity level. (2nd December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van Meulenbroek, Thijs; Huijnen, Ivan; Stappers, Nicole; Engelbert, Raoul; Verbunt, Jeanine
• Is Part Of: Physiotherapy theory and practice. Volume 37:Number 12(2021)
• Page Start: 1438
• Page End: 1447
• Publication Date: 2021-12-02
• Subjects: Hypermobility -- adolescents -- perceived harmfulness -- muscle strength -- motor performance -- physical activity level; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; 615.82
• DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2019.1709231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3985

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective : The first aim of this study was to determine whether adolescents with asymptomatic Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) have a lower level of physical functioning (physical activity level, muscle strength and performance) compared to non-hypermobile controls. Secondly, to evaluate whether the negative impact of perceived harmfulness on physical functioning was more pronounced in adolescents with asymptomatic GJH. Methods : Cross-sectional study. Sixty-two healthy adolescents (mean age 16.8, range 12–21) participated. Hypermobility (Beighton score), perceived harmfulness (PHODA-youth) and muscle strength (dynamometry), motor performance (Single-Leg-Hop-for-Distance) and physical activity level (PAL) (accelerometry) were measured. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to study differences in physical functioning and perceived harmfulness between asymptomatic GJH and non-hypermobile controls. Results : Asymptomatic GJH was associated with increased knee extensor muscle strength (peak torque/body weight; PT/BW), controlled for age and gender (dominant leg; ß = 0.29; p = .02). No other associations between asymptomatic GJH and muscle strength, motor performance and PAL were found. Perceived harmfulness was not more pronounced in adolescents with asymptomatic GJH. Conclusions : Adolescents with asymptomatic GJH had increased knee extensor muscle strength compared to non-hypermobile controls. No other differences in the level of physical functioning was found and the negative impact of perceived harmfulness was not more pronounced in adolescents with asymptomatic GJH.