Leisure Time Physical Activity Level and Musculoskeletal Pain Perception of Primary School Teachers

Abstract

Objective: Work-related musculoskeletal problems, particularly myofascial pain, are common among teachers, with prevalence rates ranging from 39% to 95%. This study aims to examine the relationship between leisure time physical activity and musculoskeletal pain in primary school teachers, taking into account the confounding effects of workload during working hours and sedentary behavior. Material and Methods: The study included 38 primary school teachers with a mean age of 43.58±9.12 years. Sociodemographic data (age, gender, weight, height, experience, standing hours, daily TV and phone use) were recorded; sedentary behavior was calculated by summing TV and phone use, workload by multiplying working days and daily hours. Pain was assessed with the modified Numeric Rating Scale, and physical activity with the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. Results: Pain intensity showed a weak correlation with total leisure-time physical activity (rho:-0.337, p:0.039) and vigorous activity (rho:-0.341, p:0.036); after adjusting for workload and sedentary behavior, these correlations slightly strengthened (total activity rho:-0.377, p:0.024; vigorous activity rho:-0.360, p:0.031). Similarly, pain-related distress also showed a weak correlation with total (rho:-0.352, p:0.035) and vigorous physical activity (rho:-0.360, p:0.031) after adjustment. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a relationship between physical activity levels and pain perception in primary school teachers. Physical activity is thought to have a potential protective role against pain. The current study supports the need for interventions aimed at reducing pain in sedentary professions, including primary school teachers.

Keywords

• Myofascial pain
• physical activity
• sedentary behavior
• work-load

Sınıf Öğretmenlerinin Serbest Zaman Fiziksel Aktivite Düzeyi ve Kas İskelet Ağrısı Algısı

Abstract

Amaç: İşle ilgili muskuloskeletal sistem problemleri, özellikle miyofasyal ağrı, öğretmenler arasında yaygın olup, prevalans oranları %39 ile %95 arasında değişmektedir. Bu çalışma, ilkokul öğretmenlerinde serbest zaman fiziksel aktivite ile kas-iskelet sistemi ağrısı arasındaki ilişkiyi, çalışma saatlerindeki iş yükü ve sedanter davranışın karıştırıcı etkilerini dikkate alarak incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya, yaş ortalaması 43,58±9,12 yıl olan 38 ilkokul öğretmeni dahil edildi. Katılımcıların yaş, cinsiyet, kilo, boy, mesleki deneyim yılı, ayakta çalışma süresi, günlük televizyon izleme ve telefon kullanma süreleri gibi sosyodemografik verileri kaydedildi. Sedanter davranış, televizyon izleme ve telefon kullanma sürelerinin toplamı ile, iş yükü ise çalışma günleri ile günlük çalışma saatlerinin çarpımıyla hesaplandı. Ağrı düzeyi modifiye Sayısal Değerlendirme Skalası ile, fiziksel aktivite düzeyi ise Godin Boş Zaman Egzersiz Anketi ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Ağrı şiddeti ile toplam boş zaman fiziksel aktivite skoru (rho:-0,337, p:0,039) ve şiddetli fiziksel aktivite skoru (rho:-0,341, p:0,036) arasında zayıf düzeyde korelasyon gösterildi; iş yükü ve sedanter davranış için düzeltme yapıldığında bu korelasyonlar biraz daha güçlendi (toplam aktivite rho:-0,377, p:0,024; şiddetli aktivite rho:-0,360, p:0,031). Benzer şekilde, ağrıya bağlı sıkıntı düzeyi ile toplam (rho:-0,352, p:0,035) ve şiddetli fiziksel aktivite (rho:-0,360, p:0,031) arasında da düzeltme sonrası zayıf düzeyde korelasyon gözlendi. Sonuç: Çalışmada sınıf öğretmenlerinde fiziksel aktivite düzeyleri ile ağrı algısı arasında ilişki olduğu gösterilmiştir. Fiziksel aktivitenin ağrı için potansiyel koruyucu bir rolü olabileceği düşünülmektedir. Mevcut çalışma sınıf öğretmenlerinin de içinde bulunduğu sedanter mesleklerde ağrı azaltmaya yönelik müdahalelere duyulan ihtiyacı desteklemektedir.

Keywords

• Miyofasiyal ağrı
• fiziksel aktivite
• sedanter davranış
• iş yükü

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