Neck and shoulder symptoms and leisure time activities in high school students

Abstract

There is a lot of evidence in the adult population to show that neck and shoulder symptoms are associated with static working postures. It has also been suggested that dynamic load reveals neck and shoulder symptoms. The purpose of this study was to describe the occurrence of neck and shoulder pain and its association with static and dynamic load in various types of leisure time activity in high school students. Seven hundred eighteen students filled out a questionnaire concerning neck and shoulder pain, leisure time activities, and utilization of health services. The participants were classified into three groups according to the severity of neck and shoulder symptoms, which was based on frequency of symptoms. The girls had significantly more neck and shoulder symptoms, and they sought medical care more often than the boys. The girls participating in sports involving dynamic use of the upper extremities had significantly fewer symptoms than those having hobbies involving static postures of the upper limbs or those practicing other types of physical activity.