Assessment of the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain in physiotherapy students of Wrocław universities

Background
Recent epidemiological studies indicate that nearly 80% of the world's population suffers from dysfunction in the spine and spinal tissues. This is increasingly accompanied by feelings of stress and psychophysical disorders. Physiotherapy students are exposed to a higher incidence of musculoskeletal pain. Knowledge of ergonomics prevents their occurrence both in everyday life and at work.

Aims
To evaluate the incidence of musculoskeletal pain in physiotherapy students of Wroclaw universities, together with an analysis of the incidence in the context of physical activity.

Material and methods
Total group of 200 physiotherapy students of Wroclaw universities were studied: University of Medicine (UMW), Academy of Physical Education (AWF) and Higher School of Physiotherapy (WSF). Research tools: the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and the Student Specific Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (SS-CMDQ). Also, self-developed questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and injury-related information

Results
Body mass index (BMI) was higher in 32% of subjects who suffered a musculoskeletal injury. On average, women had higher ODI and NDI scores than men. SS-CMDQ scores in the context of C and L spine were worse in women. Totalphysical activity (GPAQ), was higher in men (WSF students were higher than AWF students), and also affected SS-CMDQ scores.

Conclusions
Higher frequency of musculoskeletal injuries among physiotherapy students was associated with higher BMI. Gender proved to be a variable factor in the higher frequency of experiencing pain in general and a higher level of disability in the context of performing activities of daily living considering both the cervical and lumbar spine. Higher levels of total physical activity among students were associated with male gender and studying at WSF.