Risk factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in military high school students: a cohort study

Resumo

Abstract - Aim To evaluate the association between the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms and potential risk factors in military high school students. Methods: Participants were Brazilian military high school students. They were evaluated in two consecutive days: Day 1: anamnesis and physical fitness tests; Day 2: Cooper 12-min run test. A follow-up of 16 months of the sample was performed to register musculoskeletal symptoms. A Proportion Comparison Test was performed to evaluate if there was a significant difference between the number of musculoskeletal complaints among regions of trunk, lower limbs and upper limbs. Results of the baseline evaluation (age, body composition and physical fitness) were presented as mean and standard deviation. A 2x2 table was developed with the sociodemographic, lifestyle and previous symptoms variables at the baseline evaluation. Finally, a bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association/interaction between independent variables and musculoskeletal symptoms. Results: A total of 86 students (16.0 ± 1.0 years, 22.4 ± 3.2 of body mass index and 15.7 ± 6.6% body fat) were included. Proportion Comparison Test showed no difference between knee and shoulders, hip or thigh and neck (P = 0.21; P = 0.10; and P = 0.10, respectively). Bivariate analysis showed association among the age and parent's occupation and any musculoskeletal symptom in any body region (OR = 0.50, 95%CI = 0.26-0.92; OR = 4.68, 95%CI = 1.70-12.82, respectively). Conclusion: Age is a protective factor for musculoskeletal symptoms in any region of the body in high school military students, with older students having less chance of symptoms.