Generalized Hypermobility and Its Relation to Injuries in Hockey Players

Objectives: To evaluate and compare injury pattern between hypermobile and non-hypermobile hockey players of Punjab.

Method: Hockey players aged between 14-25 years were evaluated for generalized joint hypermobility using a validated Beighton scale. Players were given a score between 0-9 with high score indicating increasing hypermobility. Players were also assessed for detailed sports injuries, player position and training hours. From individual player consent form was taken.

Results: A total of 188 hockey players both male and female players were included. Results indicated that 31.0% males were hypemobile while 56.66% females were hypermobile. In male group, the maximum frequency(42.0%)of injury was occurred in category 5-9 score, followed by (37.28%) in 0-2 score and 20.0% in 3-4 category, whereas in females, the maximum frequency(70.0%)of injury was found followed by 20.0% in 3-4 score and 10% in 0-2 score category.

Conclusion: In this study results indicated that females were more hypermobile than male hockey players, and hypermobility was significantly associated with increased prevalence of injuries in hockey players.