Relationship between physical activity domains and musculoskeletal disorders in public school teachers

The teaching profession can generate several musculoskeletal pains due to the physical and psychological demands of teaching activities. Physical activity (PA) can decrease musculoskeletal pain. However, it is not clear in the literature which of the domains of PA (work, sport and leisure time/commuting) could be inversely related to musculoskeletal pain in teachers. Therefore, the main aim was to study the association between PA domains and musculoskeletal pain in public school teachers. The sample consisted of 245 public school teachers, with a mean age of 45.2 (±10,4) years, composed 76% of women. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The PA was assessed using the Baecke Habitual Physical Activity questionnaire considering three PA domains: Work, Leisure time/Sport, and Commuting. The relationship between musculoskeletal pain and different domains of PA was verified by Binary Logistic Regression. PA at work was related to pain in the thoracic regions (OR = 2.995; 95%CI = 1.341–6.690), knees (OR = 2.963; 95%CI = 1.582–5.550) and ankles (OR = 2.641; 95%CI = 1.167–5.979). In addition, physical activity in commuting activity was a protective factor related to pain in the hip and thigh region (OR = 0.220; 95%CI = 0.05–0.99). Teachers with high PA level at work were more likely to report pain in different body regions. However, leisure time/commuting PA was a protective factor for pain in the hip and thigh region in this population.