Joint hypermobility and musculoskeletal injuries in a university-aged population

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between joint hypermobility and risk of musculoskeletal injuries in a university-aged population. DesignCross-sectional study using an anonymous survey. SettingAnatomy & Physiology lab. Participants816 undergraduate Anatomy & Physiology students at a university in the United States. Main outcome measuresBeighton score, self-reported musculoskeletal injuries. ResultsAthletically active study respondents reported more musculoskeletal injuries than respondents who indicated not being athletically active. Female respondents had lower rates of self-reported injuries than male respondents (55.4% vs. 65.5%; p = 0.0099; odds ratio: 1.53). The most commonly reported injury type for both women and men were quadriceps, groin and hamstring injuries. Neither male nor female respondents with generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) or localized joint hypermobility (LJH) reported higher rates of musculoskeletal injuries. ConclusionsAthletically active young adults are at greater risk for sustaining musculoskeletal injuries; however, there is no additional increase in injury risk for young people with GJH or LJH.