Effect of Balance Training on Balance and Electrical Muscle Activity Pattern of Some Lower Extremity Muscles in Females with Generalized Joint Hypermobility Syndrome

Hypermobility is one of the medical problems all over the world, that causes pain, decreased function, and increased joint position sense error and ultimately these cause disturbances in balance. It has also been reported that these people have differences in the muscle activity patterns compared to healthy individuals. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of six weeks of balance training on the balance and electrical activity patterns of some lower extremity muscles in hypermobile females.

A total of 24 female patients with generalized joint hypermobility syndrome, 22-26 years old, participated voluntarily in the current study. The participants were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. In the pre- and post-test sessions, the onset of muscle activity of some lower extremity muscles, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, semi tendinosus, biceps femoris, and medial gastrocnemius were measured during drop landing using surface electromyography and static and dynamic balance were assessed respectively using bass stick and Y test. Then, experimental group performed training program for six weeks. Finally Shapirovilk test and covariance analysis at 95% significance level were used for data analysis.

The results showed that, the balance training program improved balance (static and dynamic in anterior and medial lateral direction) and decreased delayed onset of semitendinosus, biceps femoris, and vastus lateralis, significantly.

After six weeks of balance training, the increased sensitivity of the joint receptors and electrical muscle activity changed pattern and led to moderating balance responses. Considering the high impact of the training group, it is suggested that balance training program be used to improve the essential factors for the stability of females with generalized joint hypermobility syndrome.