Postural balance control in women with generalized joint laxity

Present but Ignored: Physical Condition and Health-Related Quality of Life in College-Aged Females with Generalized Joint Hypermobility

BACKGROUND

Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is prevalent among young adults, necessitating effective monitoring of musculoskeletal health, particularly among college-aged females. This study aimed to identify physical fitness and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) characteristics associated with GJH.

METHODS

A total of 67 participants were assessed: 26 with GJH (mean age 20.06, SD 1.2 years), and 41 without (mean age 20.15, SD 2.2 years). Assessments included hypermobility, anthropometric data, foot posture, balance, flexibility, strength, and HR-QoL. We used the Mann-Whitney test for two independent samples, categorical variables were analyzed with Cramer's V test. The results indicated that participants with GJH exhibited inferior balance and back muscle static strength endurance but greater flexibility compared to those without GJH. Significant differences were observed in foot posture. However, handgrip strength, explosive strength, and abdominal muscle static strength endurance did not differ significantly between groups. No significant differences were observed in HR-QoL components between the two groups. In conclusion, there appears to be a link between GJH and increased flexibility, impaired balance, reduced back muscle static strength endurance, and altered posture of both feet.

Association between generalized joint laxity and knee joint movement in female university students

[Purpose] This study investigated the association between generalized joint laxity and knee joint movement in female university students. [Participants and Methods] The study included 21 female university students. Generalized joint laxity was measured using the Beighton criteria for joint hypermobility. Acceleration and angular velocities of the tibia during knee extension were measured along three axes using a triaxial accelerometer. Sampling data were expressed as root mean squares. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to determine differences in the acceleration and angular velocities along each axis between the generalized joint laxity and non-generalized joint laxity groups. Spearman’s rank correlations were used to confirm the association between these parameters. [Results] The rotational angular velocity was greater in the generalized joint laxity than in the non-generalized joint laxity group, and we observed a significant correlation between Beighton scores and the X-axis angular velocity. Furthermore, rotational angular velocity was positively correlated with anterior–posterior acceleration and extension angular velocity. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that rotational angular velocity of the tibia during knee extension is associated with generalized joint laxity in female university students.

Comparison of posturographic outcomes between two different devices

The Interactive Balance System (IBS), a posturography device for assessing posture control, is widely used in clinical and rehabilitation settings. However, data on the validity of the device are unavailable. Fluctuations of the center of pressure (COP) were measured in 24 healthy participants (age: 29 ± 5 (mean ± SD) years, 12 females) synchronously using the IBS, which was rigidly mounted on a Kistler platform. Four different bipedal conditions were examined: eyes open or closed on stable or soft surfaces. Time series were compared using congruity (CON, proportion of the measurement time during which values of both devices changed similarly in direction), whereas IBS-specific postural outcomes were correlated with traditional postural control outcomes of the Kistler force platform. The time-displacement curves showed similar shapes for CON (>0.9) for each of the four standing conditions without differences between male and female participants (P > 0.39). The path length results of both devices showed very high linear associations, explaining on average 92% (medio-lateral) or 96% (anterior-posterior) of the common variance. The Kistler path length of the anterior-posterior direction revealed nearly perfect linear associations with the stability index of the IBS (r² > 0.99). The results of this study indicate that the IBS provides valid posturographic results. Since the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior trajectories of the IBS can be used to calculate COP fluctuations, comparisons between different measurement systems are possible.