Hypermobility And Injuries – Is There A Link?
Ever wondered if there is a connection between increased joint flexibility (hypermobility) and injury susceptibility in school children? The answer is Yes.
Study On Hypermobility And Injury

200 female netball players under 16 years of age were assessed for joint hypermobility. The Beighton score was use assess it. This was a published study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2005. Results from this study revealed that hypermobility was significantly associated with an increased prevalance of injuries in junior netball players. The most common sites of injury were the ankle (42%), knee (27%), and finger (15%). 21% of the subjects with a Beighton hypermobility score of 0-2 had sustained previous netball injuries compared with 37% with Beighton scores of 3-4, and 43% with scores of 5-9.
What Is Hypermobility?
Hypermobility or generalised joint laxity is defined as a condition in which most of an individual’s synovial joints have a range of motion beyond normal limits i.e. excessive joint flexibility. Although hypermobile joints in certain sports such as gymnastics and ballet may provide a performance advantage, previous studies have revealed an increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries such as joint dislocations and sprains in sportsmen with hypermobile joints. It is therefore prudent for schools and sporting associations to start identifying these hypermobile players to prevent such injuries from occurring.
Assessing It
The Beighton index for hypermobility is a validated test to assess hypermobility. The Beighton score gives an overall composite score of 0-9. It can be categorised into three groups:
- 0-2 not hypermobile
- 3-4 moderately hypermobile
- 5-9 distinctly hypermobile
Identifying players with hypermobility could prompt for specific training techniques, aimed at stiffening and strengthening muscular support around susceptible joints. Educating on injury prevention and the use of strapping and supports to enhance mechanical support and proprioception of hypermobile joints could also help prevent future injuries for susceptible players – CG
Reference:
- R Smith, A K Damodaran, S Swaminathan, R Campbell, L Barnsley. Hypermobility and sports injuries in junior netball player. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2005; 39: 628-631
Related and Popular Articles
- Snapping Ankle - Physiotherapy
- Labour Epidural Cause Chronic Backache?
- The Best Exercises for Trochanteric Bursitis
- Posterior Pelvic Pain (Sacroiliac Joint Pain) in Pregnant Women
- How do I know if I have scoliosis?
- Diastasis Recti Abdominis - Conditions
- Cobb Angle and Scoliosis
- Maybe it isn't Plantar Fasciitis but Heel Fat Pad Syndrome
- What to do when your back hurts so much that you can't get out of bed?
- Multifidus - Smallest Yet Most Powerful Muscle
- Nerve Stretches
- Shoulder Pain - Frequently Asked Questions
- 'Clunking' Shoulders - Part I
- Waking up with neck pain? Find the right pillow.
- Not All Pain In the Back Is Back Pain - It Could Be Rib Pain
- MCL strain not getting better? Because it is Pes Ancerinus Tendinitis.
- Slipped Disc in Singapore - What to Do and Avoid
- Better to break a bone than to tear a ligament or tendon
- Knee Joint & Ankle Pain - Specialist Treatment in Singapore
- Acromion Clavicle Joint - Another source of shoulder pain
- Sway Back No More
- Knock Knees - Can I reverse it? (Part 1)
- Sway back posture: A leading poor posture type causing back pain
- Posterior Capsule stretches