Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in body segments in Judo and Jiu-jitsu athletes

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A notable gap persists in understanding the prevalence of pain and musculoskeletal injuries in combat sports. This study offers a comprehensive exploration of the most affected anatomical regions. Such an investigation is pivotal for refining clinical strategies involving preventive measures and physiotherapeutic interventions. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study. Individuals aged 18 years or over, combat sport modalities practitioners, of both genders, and capable of answering the questionnaire were included. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 71 athletes. Female athletes practiced 12.65% Judo and 21.51% practiced Jiu-jitsu, while 26.58% of male athletes practiced Judo and 39.24% Jiu-jitsu. The mean age was 31.14±11.75 years, and body mass index of 27.69 kg/m2 (±5.31). The average time of practice was 8±10.59 years. The regions most affected by pain in the last 12 months were the lumbar spine (90%), knees (90%) and wrists/ hands (60%). Female Judo presented a significant index of pain in the last 12 months in the upper limbs, and the neck was the region identified as most responsible for limiting activities. In the last 7 days, the thoracic and lumbar spine regions were more significant. In female Jiu-jitsu, in the 12-month and 7-day analyses, the ankle/foot were the most affected regions when compared to the male gender, and the knees were identified as most responsible for limiting activities. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive description of the main regions affected by musculoskeletal disorders and pain is of fundamental importance for the development of prevention and physiotherapeutic treatment strategies.

Keywords

• athletic injuries
• martial arts
• pain