Prevalence of Acute Tennis Elbow Among College Students

Abstract

Background: Acute tennis elbow can develop in college students due to repetitive arm motions such as typing, carrying heavy bags, or participating in sports. Introduction: Tennis elbow is an overuse injury that causes damage to the tendon connecting the extensor muscles of the forearm. It is often the result of overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons, typically due to repetitive movements. College tasks that require extensive computer use or repetitive motions can strain the tendons, leading to tennis elbow. Students may be more susceptible to this condition due to their study habits, participation in sports, or other activities involving repetitive arm motions. Acute tennis elbow in students can result from various factors, including repetitive movements, poor ergonomics, increased technology use, and sports participation. Methodology: A survey was conducted on 200 college students aged between 18 and 25 using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) scale. The participants were selected based on inclusion criteria and were asked to complete questionnaires through a Google Form. Results: The data analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2021. Out of the 200 college students surveyed, the percentage of self-reported acute tennis elbow in the study population was 6% severe, 20.5% moderate, and 73.5% mild. Conclusion: Acute tennis elbow affects 6% of college students. Keywords: Acute tennis elbow, college students