Published online October 12, 2009
PEDIATRICS Vol. 124 No. 5 November 2009, pp. 1380-1387 (doi:10.1542/peds.2009-0294)
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Juul-Kristensen, B.
Right arrow Articles by Remvig, L.
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Juul-Kristensen, B.
Right arrow Articles by Remvig, L.
Related Collections
Right arrow Musculoskeletal System
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Facebook   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati   Add to Twitter  
What's this?

ARTICLE

Motor Competence and Physical Activity in 8-Year-Old School Children With Generalized Joint Hypermobility

Birgit Juul-Kristensen, PhD, PTa,b, Jens Halkjær Kristensen, DMSca, Britt Frausing, PTc, Dorte Vendelboe Jensen, MDd, Henrik Røgind, PhDe and Lars Remvig, DMSca

Departments of a Rheumatology
c Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
b Research Initiative in Physiotherapy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
d Department of Rheumatology, Hørsholm Hospital, Hørsholm, Denmark
e Department of Rheumatology, Frederiksberg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark

OBJECTIVE: Because the criteria used for diagnosing between generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) and musculoskeletal complaints, as well as relations between GJH and an insufficient motor development and/or a reduced physical activity level differ, the prevalence of GJH varies considerably. The aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of GJH defined by a Beighton score at ≥4, ≥5, or ≥6 positive tests of 9 and benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) in Danish primary school children at 8 years of age. A second aim was to compare children with and without GJH and BJHS regarding motor competence, self-reported physical activity, and incidence of musculoskeletal pain and injuries.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 524 children in the second grade from 10 public schools was performed. A positive response rate was obtained for 416 (79.4%) children, and 411 (78.4%) children were clinically examined and tested for motor competence, whereas questionnaire response to items comprising musculoskeletal pain and injuries, in addition to daily level and duration of physical activity, corresponded to 377 (71.9%) children.

RESULTS: In total, 29% of the children had GJH4, 19% had GJH5, 10% had GJH6, and 9% had BJHS, with no gender difference. There was no difference in daily level and duration of physical activity and in frequency of musculoskeletal pain and injuries between those with and without GJH. Children with ≥GJH5 as well as with ≥GJH6 performed better in the motor competence tests.

CONCLUSION: Motor competence and physical activity are not reduced in primary school children at 8 years of age with GJH or BJHS. It is recommended that a potential negative influence on the musculoskeletal system over time, as a result of GJH, be investigated by longitudinal studies.

Key Words: joint instability • musculoskeletal system • pain • pediatric rheumatic diseases

Abbreviations: JHS—joint hypermobility syndrome • GJH—general joint hypermobility • BJHS—benign joint hypermobility syndrome • PAL—physical activity level • MET—metabolic equivalent • TAA3M—time in physical activity above 3 METs

Accepted Jun 9, 2009.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Facebook Facebook   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati   Add to Twitter Twitter    What's this?