Thirty individuals with systemic hyperlaxity as determined with the Beighton scale will be assessed for lateral neck flexor endurance and compared to age and gender matched controls. Basic demographic information will be collected, and all individuals will report Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Numeric Pain Rating Scales (NPRS) for their neck, as well duration of any neck pain. All participants will then undergo testing of lateral neck flexor muscle endurance, repeated twice on each side. Average hold times will be compared for individuals with hyperlaxity (5 or greater on Beighton scale) and the healthy age and gender matched controls. Analysis will also include covariates of NDI scores, pain scores, and chronicity of symptoms.
The lateral neck flexor endurance test has been proposed to assess for unilateral muscular deficits. It is not known if individuals with hyperlaxity have different muscular endurance than individuals without hyperlaxity.