The prevalence of generalized and syndromic hypermobility in elite Australian dancers
Abstract
Objectives To determine the prevalence of Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome-Hypermobility Type (JHS/EDS-HT) among dancers using established validated measures.Design Observational Cohort Study.Setting Laboratory.Participants 85 dancers from two dance institutions.Main outcome measures GJH was determined using the Beighton score (cut-point ≥5/9) and the Lower Limb Assessment Scale (LLAS) (cut-point ≥7/12). Presence of JHS/EDS-HT was assessed using the Brighton and Villefranche criteria. Paired sample t-test was performed to compare LLAS side-to-side scores, and percentage disagreements calculated to determine differences between the two GJH and the two JHS/EDS-HT measures.Results 72% of dancers met the Beighton cut-point for GJH, while 38% and 42% met the LLAS cut-point on the left and right respectively. The proportion of dancers identified with GJH was different when assessed using the Beighton compared to the left and right LLAS (both p < 0.001), a disagreement of 48% and 46% respectively, with Beighton classifying more participants as having GJH. The Villefranche identified more dancers with JHS/EDS-HT than the Brighton (84% vs 31%, p < 0.001), with 54% disagreement.Conclusions High prevalence of generalized and syndromic hypermobility was found regardless of the criteria used. A higher Beighton cut-point, e.g. ≥6/9, to identify true GJH amongst dancers maybe warranted.
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Among professional dancers, the prevalence of GJH ranges between 64.9% and 72%.
“Among professional dancers, the prevalence ranges between 64.9% and 72%.[20,21]”
From Hypermobility spectrum disorders: A review (2023) · cites this paper as [20]
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- Authors
- Chan, C., Hopper, L., Zhang, F., Pacey, V., & Nicholson, L. L.
- Affiliations
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- Edith Cowan University (AU)
- Macquarie University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Chan, Cliffton
- Venue
- Physical Therapy in Sport
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2018-07
- Volume
- 32
- Pages
- 15-21
- ISSN
- 1466-853X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2788310039
- Cited by
- 29
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 4
- FWCI
- 1.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Physical Therapy in Sport (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Edith Cowan University Research Online (Edith Cowan University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Sydney (2015/001)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Connective tissue disorders research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Diversity and Impact of Dance
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Oral and gingival health research
- Keywords
- generalized joint hypermobility, joint hypermobility syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobility type, dancers, Beighton score, Brighton criteria, prevalence, diagnostic agreement, cut points
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Australia, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dancing, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Female, Humans, Joint Instability, Male, Cohort Studies, Prevalence, Young Adult
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