Fitness Trainers’ Educational Qualification and Experience and Its Association with Their Trainees’ Musculoskeletal Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This is a cross-sectional study that examined the association between fitness trainers’ educational qualifications and experience, and the risk of their trainees’ musculoskeletal pain. The study included 1177 trainees (aged 15–60 years) from 74 fitness centers in Bangladesh. Data were collected by using the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, including potential confounders such as demographic factors (e.g., age, occupation), and training-related factors (e.g., workout knowledge, overweight lifting). Multiple logistic regression was performed for a binary outcome (pain—yes or no), and a generalized linear model was fitted for the ordinal outcome (pain—sites of the body). The trainers’ lower experience (no or ≤1 year) was associated with higher odds of their trainees’ musculoskeletal pain (OR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.18–5.44) compared to trainers with >5 years of experience; however, no association was found between the trainers’ education and the risk of their trainees’ musculoskeletal pain, after controlling for potential confounders. Similarly, the trainees trained by trainers with lower experience had more than two-time the risk of having pain in different sites (IRR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.50–2.79). The trainers’ experience may play a pivotal role in the trainees’ musculoskeletal pain. Further study is warranted in this regard.

Prevalence and predictors of musculoskeletal injuries among gym members in Bangladesh: A nationwide cross-sectional study

“…The most common site of injury was the back (17.2%), followed by the shoulder (11.0%) and the knee (7.6%). Similar to our result, a study conducted by Ahmed et al reported that the back was the most commonly affected site for gym injuries, followed by the shoulder and knee [ 22 ]. In contrast to our study, Shinde and Sahasrabuddhe reported the shoulder as the most commonly affected site for gym injuries, followed by the lower back and knee [ 23 ].…”

Comparing the impact of personal trainer guidance to exercising with others: Determining the optimal approach

“…Waryasz et al (2016) reported that PTs play an important role in preventing injuries through professionalism [ 50 ]. Ahmed et al (2022) found that the involvement of a PT with considerable expertise and experience is instrumental to preventing bone and joint injuries [ 51 ], Which is also supported by the findings of this study.…”

Health-Promoting Behaviors of Women and Their Opinions On the Quality of Fitness Services, Depending on Experienced Musculoskeletal Injuries

“…Osiński [3] expressed the opinion that an instructor should present a high level of technical training and physical fitness in order to clearly convey his own knowledge and skills. In turn, Ahmed et al [28] expressed concern that despite the growing popularity of services such as personal training or group fitness classes, as well as the increasing number of people with trainer's licenses, the profession is still not fully regulated. The authors found that instructors enjoy a steadily growing authority, despite doubts about their competence.…”