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Background

Cervical proprioception and muscle endurance are essential for maintaining cervical functional joint stability. Proprioception and muscle endurance may be impaired in those with general joint hypermobility (GJH). Examining these aspects is crucial. This study’s aims are to (1) compare the cervical joint position error (JPE) and muscle endurance holding capacities in GJH individuals with and without non-specific neck pain (NSNP)(2) to assess the relationship between hypermobility Beighton scores, cervical JPE’s, and muscle endurance in GJH individuals with and without NSNP.

Methods

In this cross-sectional comparative study, 33 GJH participants with NSNP (mean age 21.7±1.8 years) and 35 asymptomatic participants GJH (mean age 22.42±1.7 years) participated. Beighton’s score of≥ 4 of 9 tests was used as criteria to diagnose GJH. Cervical JPEs were estimated in degrees using a cervical range of motion device, and muscle endurance (flexor and extensor) were estimated in seconds using a stopwatch.

Results

GJH participants with NSNP showed significantly larger cervical JPEs (p< 0.001) and decreased muscle endurance holding times (p< 0.001) compared to asymptomatic participants. Beighton hypermobility scores showed a significant moderate positive correlation with cervical JPEs (flexion: r= 0.43, p= 0.013), left rotation: r= 0.47, p= 0.005, right rotation: r= 0.57, p= 0.001) in NSNP individuals. Also, Beighton hypermobility scores showed a moderate negative correlation with muscle endurance in NSNP (flexor muscles: r=− 0.40, p= 0.020, extensor muscles: r=− 0.41, p= 0.020, and asymptomatic individuals (flexor muscles …