How Does Physical Activity During Youth Affect the Development of Multisite Musculoskeletal Pain or Discomfort in Young Adults?

Abstract

Background: Multisite musculoskeletal pain is a common condition among young adults, and identifying risk factors for the experience of pain is of particular interest. During the transition from adolescence to adulthood, individuals become less physically active. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term association between physical inactivity during adolescence and young adulthood and multisite musculoskeletal pain or discomfort later in young adulthood, with analyses conducted separately for males and females. Methods: Data on self-reported levels of physical activity at Ages 15, 18, and 21 and multisite musculoskeletal pain or discomfort at Age 28 from The West Jutland Cohort Study (n = 1833) were used. The levels of physical activity were dichotomized into low level (< 4 h per week) and high level (> 4 h per week) of physical activity. Logistic regression analysis was conducted, stratified by sex and adjusted for depressive symptoms, smoking, parental and own educational level, equivalized childhood income, and pain status at Age 15. Results were presented as odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of multisite musculoskeletal pain or discomfort was 32%, and more females reported experiencing multisite pain (37%) than males (26%). The adjusted results showed that adolescents and young adults who were physically inactive were more likely to experience multisite musculoskeletal pain or discomfort later in life than those adolescents and young adults who were physically active (OR 1.9 (1.3–2.9)). Conclusion: Physical inactivity during adolescence and young adulthood is a risk factor for experiencing multisite musculoskeletal pain or discomfort at Age 28. This emphasizes the importance of physical activity during adolescence and young adulthood for later physical health.