Musculoskeletal Pain in Gymnasts: A Retrospective Analysis on a Cohort of Professional Athletes

Giacomo Farì, Francesco Fischetti, Alessandra Zonno, Francesco Marra, Alessia Maglie, Francesco Paolo Bianchi, Giuseppe Messina, Maurizio Ranieri and Marisa Megna
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Giacomo Farì: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Francesco Fischetti: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Alessandra Zonno: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Francesco Marra: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Alessia Maglie: Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, Piazza Tancredi 7, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Francesco Paolo Bianchi: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Giuseppe Messina: Department of Psychology, University of Palermo, Via delle Scienze, Ed 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Maurizio Ranieri: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Marisa Megna: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-9

Abstract: Gymnastics athletes are exposed to a high risk of injury, but also of developing musculoskeletal pain. These data are still little investigated in the available scientific literature. An online survey was distributed to 79 professional athletes who practiced artistic and rhythmic gymnastics. The survey collected demographic and anthropometric data, information about the sport practice, the training sessions, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain gymnastics-related, and lifestyle habits. Musculoskeletal pain had a high prevalence, involving 65 of 79 athletes (82.3%). A significant correlation was found between musculoskeletal pain and the duration of sports practice, both for general pain ( p = 0.041) and for specific districts: right wrist pain ( p = 0.031), left wrist pain ( p = 0.028), right shoulder ( p = 0.039), left hip ( p = 0.031), right thigh ( p = 0.031), and left knee ( p = 0.005). Another statistical association was found between right wrist pain and BMI ( p = 0.001), and hip pain and BMI ( p = 0.030). Hours spent in a sitting position were also correlated with the incidence of pain ( p = 0.045). Wrist pain and right shoulder pain had a statistically significant association with the age of the athletes (right wrist pain: p = 0.038; left wrist pain: p = 0.004; right shoulder pain: p = 0.035). The more the gymnasts practice this sport, the more likely they are to develop musculoskeletal pain. Increased age and a higher BMI, as well as daily prolonged sitting position, seem to be potential risk factors for the onset of musculoskeletal pain. Future studies could plan training strategies aimed at preventing musculoskeletal pain associated with gymnastics, in order to promote its further spread.

Keywords: overload training; wrist pain; injury prevention; overuse; sitting position (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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