Is device-measured physical activity associated with musculoskeletal disorders among young adult Finnish men?

TL;DR

This study found no strong link between physical activity and musculoskeletal pain in young Finnish men, except for a slight increase in lower back pain with more light activity.

Contribution

The study uses device-measured physical activity to explore its association with MSK disorders in young men, revealing unexpected results.

Findings

No significant associations were found between physical activity and most MSK disorders.

Light physical activity was slightly linked to increased lumbago pain.

Sedentary time showed a weak inverse association with lumbago pain.

Abstract

Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders represent a significant burden to society and can be unpleasant for the affected individuals. Physical activity (PA) can prevent MSK disorders while conferring other health benefits. The present study aimed to investigate associations between device-measured PA and perceived MSK disorders among young adult men.

PA at different intensity levels, standing, and sedentary behavior were measured with a hip-worn accelerometer in a cohort of 422 young adult Finnish men aged 26 years on average. The incidences of three common MSK disorders (viz., knee pain, lumbar radicular pain, and lumbago pain) during the last month were inquired by a questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the associations between the MSK outcomes and explanatory PA variables (PA times at different intensity levels, standing, and sedentary times). The models were controlled for age, education, smoking, BMI, and maximal oxygen uptake.

PA, standing, and sedentary times were not significantly associated with the incidence of perceived MSK pain during the last month, except for lumbago pain. Lumbago pain was slightly more probable if the time spent in light PA increased, even after controlling for potential confounding factors, including moderate-to-vigorous PA, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.07 (95% CI: 1.02–1.14). Sedentary time showed an opposite association, with an OR of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96–1.00).

There were neither positive nor negative clinically meaningful associations between PA and recent MSK disorders among young adult men. The result is surprising and requires further confirmation.