Relationship between exercise time and musculoskeletal problems in children

Yohei Tomaru; Hiroshi Kamada; Yuta Tsukagoshi; Shogo Nakagawa; Mio Onishi; Kenta Tanaka; Ryoko Takeuchi; Yuki Mataki; Shumpei Miyakawa; Masashi Yamazaki

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Relationship between exercise time and musculoskeletal problems in children

VernacularTitle:Relationship between exercise time and musculoskeletal problems in children
Author: Yohei TOMARU ¹ ; Hiroshi KAMADA ¹ ; Yuta TSUKAGOSHI ² ; Shogo NAKAGAWA ¹ ; Mio ONISHI ¹ ; Kenta TANAKA ¹ ; Ryoko TAKEUCHI ¹ ; Yuki MATAKI ³ ; Shumpei MIYAKAWA ³ ; Masashi YAMAZAKI ¹
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1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
2. Tsukuba Sports Medicine & Health Science Center, University of Tsukuba, Japan
3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences Hospital, Japan
Keywords: musculoskeletal system; exercise; children
From:Journal of Rural Medicine 2019;14(2):176-180
CountryJapan
Language:English
Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between exercise time and musculoskeletal problems and to determine the appropriate amount of exercise for children in both lower- and higher-grade levels of elementary and junior high schools.Materials and Methods: Mark-sheet-type questionnaires were distributed to and collected from all elementary and junior high schools in two cities. We collected 22,494 questionnaires in total. The relationship between exercise time and musculoskeletal problems was analyzed. The χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analyses.Results: The mean exercise time in school, in addition to physical education time, was 3.1 hours per week. In 56% of the children, the exercise time was less than 2 hours per week, and in 13% of the children, the exercise time was more than 10 hours per week. Although the rate of sports injury increased with an increase in exercise time, the duration of one-leg stand (a test of balance and muscle strength) also increased with an increase in exercise time. The cut-off values for sports injuries in boys/girls were 2.9/2.9 hours, 4.0/2.9 hours, and 7.5/4.2 hours in lower grade elementary school, higher grade elementary school, and junior high school, respectively.Conclusions: Although an appropriate amount of exercise improves one’s physical health and ability, excessive exercise leads to musculoskeletal problems. Approximately 7 hours/week of exercise is recommended for junior high school students. In elementary school, the exercise time should be carefully decided as the musculoskeletal system of the students is still immature.