Blood pressure, lung function and muscular strength values in students with joint hypermobility

Introduction. Elastin and collagen are the key components of bones, cartilage, tendons, skin, lungs and arterial walls. Weak connective tissue disorders and joint hypermobility are pathological conditions where the structure of collagen fibers is changed, resulting in a number of symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of weak connective tissue disorder in second- and third-year students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Novi Sad, and to compare muscle strength, pulmonary function and blood pressure between individuals with and without hypermobility. Material and Methods. The study included 100 students (50 females and 50 males) divided into two groups: Group 1 with weak connective tissue and Group 2 with normal connective tissue. The subjects were assessed according to the Beighton score and the Brighton criteria to diagnose hypermobility. Values of blood pressure, pulmonary function and muscle strength were also measured. Results. Analysis of anthropometric parameters and blood pressure values showed significant difference between the groups, including the body height (p=0.014) and body weight (p=0.021) values and systolic (p<0.001) and diastolic (p=0.004) blood pressure values. Dynamometric parameters and lung function values were significantly different between the groups, with vital capacity (p<0.001), forced vital capacity (p=0.05), forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (p=0.025). Lower values were noted in group 1. Conclusion. Weak connective tissue was found with high percentage of students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Novi Sad (67%). Blood pressure, lung function vales and dynamometric parameters were significantly lower in group 1.