THU0623-HPR Joint Hypermobility – is There a Correlation Between Muscle Cross Sectional Area and Muscle Strength?

BackgroundGeneralized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) is often underestimated and little is known about clinical implications and optimal treatment. Hypermobile persons are often restricted in performing sports or leisure activities, as well as during work, due to pain and disability (1). Adequate muscle strength for movement control might be an important issue to overcome these restrictions. However, little is known about muscle properties of women with GJH. Although it is commonly recognized that strength and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) are related, the exact relationship seems complex and remains unclear.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to analyze the correlation between muscle strength and muscle CSA in women with GJH.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 52 hypermobile women (mean age 26.7±4.7 years, weight 62.4±10.8 kg, BMI 22.8±3.6 kg/m2) with a Beighton-score of six or more (2). Maximum isometric muscle strength for knee extensors and flexors was measured and calculated as maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and rate of force development (RFD). Muscle CSA of thigh was measured at one third above knee using peripheral quantitative computer tomography (pQCT). Parameters were calculated as absolute values and related to body weight. Correlation coefficients according to Pearson (r) were calculated, as well as the coefficient of determination (r2) in percent. Significance level was set at p=0.05.ResultsFor the absolute values significant correlations were found between MVC and muscle CSA with r=0.46 (r2=21%, p