Abstract
Joint hypermobility is defined as an excessive range of motion. Although the dance
profession has often promoted hypermobility for aesthetic reasons, there is a belief
amongst health professionals that potential risks associated with the condition may
have been overlooked. The aims of this review were to examine the epidemiology of
joint hypermobility in dancers; the effects on fatigue and bone health; the injury
profile of hypermobile dancers; and the use of the Beighton score as a diagnostic
tool. Depending on the criteria used, epidemiological studies suggest that hypermobility
among dancers can be as high as 44%, especially in students. As hypermobility has
been linked to fatigue in the general population, the hypermobile dancer should be
careful given the association between fatigue and aetiology of injury in dance. Similarly,
in light of research encouraging dancers to become fitter, this recommendation may
not be appropriate for hypermobile dancers. In addition, the Beighton score used in
most dance related studies may not be an appropriate measure of hypermobility in these
populations. More research is necessary into this area to ascertain the reasons for
the attrition rate from student to soloist/principal level and whether it is linked
to dance health and injury issues.
Key words
benign joint hypermobility syndrome - osteopenia - Beighton criteria - fatigue - injury
- health
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Correspondence
Dr. Matthew Alexander Wyon
University of Wolverhampton
Sport, Performing Arts and
Leisure
Gorway Rd
Walsall
WS1 3BD
United Kingdom
Phone: + 44/190/2323 144
Fax: + 44/190/2323 228
Email: m.wyon@wlv.ac.uk
