Generalized joint hypermobility, musculoskeletal injuries, and psychological factors among dancers in Lagos state

Introduction: Dancers are athletes who are vulnerable to musculoskeletal injuries and hypermobility, and their emotional level is very important for optimal performance. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) and its association with musculoskeletal injuries and psychological factors among dancers in Lagos state. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical survey involving 114 dancers (54 males and 60 females), selected from two dance groups in Lagos state. The participants completed a 31-item musculoskeletal pain questionnaire, 9-item validated Beighton index, and 21-item depression, anxiety, and stress scale. Data were analyzed using inferential statistics of Chi-square and summarized using mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages at alpha level of 5%. Results: The results showed that the 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dancers was 77 (67%), and the knee, 25 (21.9%), was the most commonly affected body site. The prevalence of GJH was 81 (71.1%), with the majority having distinct hypermobility. The level of anxiety among dancers was extremely severe, 35 (30.7%). There was no significant association (P = 0.487) between GJH and the 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries and psychological factors (P > 0.05) among dancers. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries and joint hypermobility among dancers. The knee was the most frequently injured joint. The majority of the dancers' joints are distinctly hypermobile, and most of the dancers have extremely severe anxiety. Musculoskeletal injuries and psychological factors did not influence GJH.