Hypermobility is where your joints move more than ‘normal’ or have a bigger ‘range of motion’ than normal. People that are hypermobile can often get into postions that others find impossible. Think of a gymnast, generally speaking, they are hypermobile. Hypermobility is often hereditary and can occur in some joints and not others, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. You can be hypermbile and have no problems or it can cause you issues. There is a simple test you can do to see if you have hypermobile joints. It is called the Beighton Hypermobility Score. Continue reading to try the simple test and see what you score.
The Beighton Hypermobility Score
This test uses a simple 9 point system, where the higher the score the higher the laxity. Simply run through the 5 tests below and give yourself a score out of 9. If you can perform the movement described, you score 1 point. Apart from number 1, the remaining 4 tests are done on the left and right side giving a total of 9 possible points. Here are the 5 tests:
What does the result mean? Why is this important?
Everyone knows it is important to stay flexible and limber. As I mentioned above, hypermobile people are often extremely flexible, therefore, you will need to be more careful with your training. You will need to be vigilant on technique as you could easily hurt yourself. It will also be extremely important to work on stability. Creating stable joints and core will help prevent new and recurring injuries.
If you do the test and find you are considered hypermobile and have some questions, please ask. I will do my best to answer them for you.
If you like the information above please hit the like button below.
This test uses a simple 9 point system, where the higher the score the higher the laxity. Simply run through the 5 tests below and give yourself a score out of 9. If you can perform the movement described, you score 1 point. Apart from number 1, the remaining 4 tests are done on the left and right side giving a total of 9 possible points. Here are the 5 tests:
- Can you bend forward and put your hands flat on the ground with the legs straight?
- Does your elbow hyper-extend beyond a straight line and go ‘backwards’?
- Does your knee hyper-extend beyond a straight line and go ‘backwards’?
- Can you bend your thumb backwards and have it touch the front of the forearm?
- Can you bend your little finger backwards to 90 degrees to the back of the hand?
What does the result mean? Why is this important?
Everyone knows it is important to stay flexible and limber. As I mentioned above, hypermobile people are often extremely flexible, therefore, you will need to be more careful with your training. You will need to be vigilant on technique as you could easily hurt yourself. It will also be extremely important to work on stability. Creating stable joints and core will help prevent new and recurring injuries.
If you do the test and find you are considered hypermobile and have some questions, please ask. I will do my best to answer them for you.
If you like the information above please hit the like button below.
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