Research article summary (published 18 Jul 2009):

Neck/shoulder pain in adolescents is not related to the level or nature of self-reported physical activity or type of sedentary activity in an Australian pregnancy cohort.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: An inconsistent relationship between physical activity and neck/shoulder pain (NSP) in adolescents has been reported in the literature. Earlier studies may be limited by not assessing physical activity in sufficient detail. The aim of this study was to comprehensively examine the association between NSP and the level and nature of physical activity, and type of sedentary activity in adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis using data from 924 adolescents in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (RAINE) study was performed. Complete data were available for 643 adolescents (54.6% female) at the 14-year follow-up. Physical activity was measured using a detailed self-report electronic activity diary requiring participants to input details of all physical activities over the day in segments of 5 minutes for a one-week period. Physical activity levels were categorised as: sedentary, light, moderate, or vigorous based on metabolic energy equivalents. Nature of activity was determined by assigning each activity to categories based on the amount of movement (static/dynamic) and the main posture assumed for the activity (standing/sitting/lying). Type of sedentary activity was characterised by exposure time to watching TV, using a computer, and reading. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between NSP and activity. RESULTS: Females reported a higher prevalence of lifetime, 1-month and chronic NSP than males (50.9 vs 41.7%, 34.1 vs 23.5%, and 9.2 vs 6.2% respectively). No consistent, dose-response relationship was found between NSP and the level, nature, and type of physical activity. CONCLUSION: Self-reported one month and lifetime NSP prevalence in adolescents is not related to the level or intensity of physical activity or the type of sedentary activity over a one week period.

Author information

Author/s: Briggs, Andrew M (AM); Straker, Leon M (LM); Bear, Natasha L (NL); Smith, Anne J (AJ);

Affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia. A.Briggs(-atsign-)curtin.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: BMC musculoskeletal disorders (BMC Musculoskelet Disord), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-; vol 10 (issue ) : pp 87

Dates: Created 2009/08/11; Completed 2009/09/24;

PMID: 19615104, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/24/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Cohort Studies Computers Cross-Sectional Studies Female Humans Life Style Logistic Models Male Motor Activity Neck Pain - diagnosis; etiology

Neck Pain - diagnosis; etiology Odds Ratio Pain Measurement Pregnancy Questionnaires Risk Assessment Risk Factors Shoulder Pain - diagnosis; etiology Television Time Factors Western Australia

Related articles

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

• Fitness, motor competence and body composition as correlates of adolescent neck/shoulder pain: an exploratory cross-sectional study. 13 Aug 2008
• Initial Investigation of the relation between extended computer use and temporomandibular joint disorders. 30 Aug 2008
• Neck and shoulder pains in relation to physical activity and sedentary activities in adolescence. 18 Apr 2007
• EMG median frequency changes in the neck-shoulder stabilizers of symptomatic office workers when challenged by different physical stressors. 29 Nov 2005
• Arm motion speed and risk of neck pain. A preliminary communication. 13 Sep 1997
• Back, neck, and shoulder pain in Finnish adolescents: national cross sectional surveys. 3 Oct 2002
• Risk factors for the development of neck and upper limb pain in adolescents. 27 Feb 2002
• Occupational neck and shoulder pain among automobile manufacturing workers in Iran. 29 Apr 2008
• Adolescent flexibility, endurance strength, and physical activity as predictors of adult tension neck, low back pain, and knee injury: a 25 year follow up study. 30 Jan 2006
• Upper limb pain in a national sample of veterans with paraplegia. 30 Dec 2003

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a large map of 100+ related articles.