Association between physical activity pain and injuries in children

Abstract

Background Children are advised to engage in physical activity to improve health. However, recent literature suggests an association between weight bearing activities, e.g. walking, and excessive joint loading in lower limbs of children. Excessive stress in joints of children may lead to pain or even cause injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pain, injury and physical activity in children.Methods This study had a cross-sectional design. 112 children aged 8-12 yr. (68 with normal weight, 38 with overweight or obesity) participated in the study. Moderate and vigorous physical activity were assessed using accelerometry over 7 days. Questionnaires were used to report pain (over 7 days) and injuries (over 12 months). Linear regression and negative binomial models were used to examine association between moderate activity, vigorous activity, and pain and injuries, respectively. Models were adjusted for potential confounders. Effect modification according to weight status was explored.Results There was no association between moderate physical activity and pain (β=0.0004, 95% CI -0.007 to 0.008; p=0.915) or between vigorous physical activity and pain (β=0.0069, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.22; p=0.354). Similarly, no association was found between moderate physical activity and injuries (Rate Ratio [RR]=1.00, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.01; p=0.995) or vigorous physical activity and injuries (RR=1.00, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.02; p=0.798). There was no evidence that associations between physical activity and pain or physical activity and injuries, respectively, differed according to weight status.Conclusions Although paediatric obesity is linked to a higher incidence of pain and injuries in children, this study did not find that moderate and vigorous physical activity are associated with pain or injuries in children, regardless of their weight status.