title: The influence of joint hypermobility on functional movement control in an elite netball population: A preliminary cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational within-subject cross-sectional design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Field based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  27 elite level netballers (14-26 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  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.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Kessie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Soper
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Jane V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Simmonds
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Hanadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaz Kaz
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Nelly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ninis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D015995:Prevalence; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Balance; Hypermobility; Laxity; Sport