Core Muscle Endurance, Upper Extremity Muscle Strength, Grip Strength, and Hand-Eye Coordination in Young Adults with Generalized Joint Hypermobility

Aim: Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is recognized as one of the risk factors for musculoskeletal impairments. This study aimed to evaluate core muscle endurance, upper extremity muscle strength, grip strength, and hand-eye coordination in young adults with GJH. Method: This is a cross-sectional and observational study. Twenty-seven young adults with GJH, aged 17–26 years, and an age-matched group of 27 young adults without GJH were recruited in the study. All participants performed core muscle endurance tests, upper extremity muscle strength test, hand-grip and pinch-grip strength tests, and the alternate hand-wall toss test. Results: Considering the descriptive features, no statistically significant differences were identified between the groups (p>0.05). The mean Beighton score was 5.26±2.38 in the GJH group, which indicates joint hypermobility (p<0.001). While a significant difference was found between the groups for the trunk flexion test (p = 0.002), right side plank test (p=0.013), and left side plank test (p=0.039) in the tests of core muscle endurance, there was no significant difference in the trunk extension test (p=0.532), horizontal plank test (p=0.190), and alternate hand wall toss test (p=0.127). Conclusion: The young adults in the present study who had been grouped as having GJH (Beighton score≥4) showed a decline in upper extremity strength, grip strength, and core muscle endurance. This study, in combination with the findings of the literature, suggests that a comprehensive screening program for the early recognition of GJH is required to prevent musculoskeletal problems.