Hypermobility and sports injuries in junior netball players

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of hypermobility in young female netball players and to determine the relation between hypermobility, previous injuries sustained in netball or other sports, and the use of protective equipment. Methods: Under 16 year old female netball players from a local suburban netball association were assessed for joint hypermobility using the validated Beighton score (0-9, with higher scores indicating increasing hypermobility). Player profiles and details of sporting injuries, both netball and non-netball, and the use of protective equipment were gathered by means of a self completed questionnaire. Parental and child consent was obtained. Results: Two hundred netball players were recruited for the study. Twenty one percent 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. These differences were significant (p,0.025). Injuries were most common in the ankle (42%), knee (27%), and fingers (15%). Thirty nine players (19%) wore protective equipment, and within this group 30 (77%) had sustained previous injuries. No association was detected between hypermobile joints and non-netball sporting injuries. Conclusions: In this study hypermobility was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of injuries in junior netball players. A targeted interventional approach may help to reduce injuries in this susceptible group.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Prevention of Pediatric Overuse Injuries

“…Another prospective study 24 of youngsters 6 to 14 years old demonstrated that children with hypermobile joints had more complaints of joint pain than nonhypermobile children. A retrospective study 76 of pediatric (aged 6-16 years) netball players in Australia showed that hypermobility was associated with an increased prevalence of self-reported injuries. In another small retrospective study 77 including children and adults, more injuries were reported by hypermobile ballet dancers than by their nonhypermobile counterparts.…”

Neuromuscular Training Improves Movement Competency and Physical Performance Measures in 11–13-Year-Old Female Netball Athletes

“…The sport requires athletes to possess high levels of speed, agility, upper and lower-body strength and power, movement competency, and anaerobic and aerobic endurance (5,8). Netball is also commonly associated with a high incidence of lower limb injuries (11), and is one of the top 5 sports associated with sporting injuries in Australian children (39).…”

Generalized Joint Laxity Associated With Increased Medial Foot Loading in Female Athletes

“…7 Athletes with joint hypermobility often present with increased incidence of arthralgias, soft tissue lesions, recurrent joint dislocations or subluxations, sprains, and osteoarthritis. 1,8 A higher incidence of joint sprain also is observed in individuals with joint hypermobility. 1 They may have impaired proprioception, most notably of the finger and knee joints.…”

“…1 They may have impaired proprioception, most notably of the finger and knee joints. 8 This impaired proprioception may play a role in increased risk of lower extremity joint injury and disease.…”