Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the relationship between preference for physical activity and joint
laxity in typically-developing preschool children.
Methods: We evaluated joint laxity using Beighton score in 57 preschool children with typical
development （54─81 months-of-age）. Joint laxity scores and demographic information （age,
gender, height, and body weight） were compared according to their preferences for physical
activity. The relationship between preference for physical activity and joint laxity was
statistically examined using logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic
analysis.
Results: There was no significant difference in demographic information according to their
preferences for physical activity. The total score of joint laxity in both knee joints and trunk
was significantly low in children who preferred physical activity. In logistic regression
analysis, the total score of joint laxity in both the knee joints and trunk were associated with
preference for physical activity （odds ratio, 1.98; 95% CI, 0.99 ─ 3.97; p ＜ .05）. The optimal
cutoff point on the total score of both knee joints and trunk was 0.5 for children with a
preference for physical activity.
Conclusions: This study suggests that the total score of joint laxity in both knee joints and
trunk is related to preference for physical activity, and it would be an important sign.
