Injuries and musculoskeletal pain among Norwegian group fitness instructors

Abstract

Objective: To examine the prevalence and factors associated with instruction-related injuries and musculoskeletal pain among group fitness instructors. Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Settings: Online survey. Participants: Group fitness instructors from three fitness centre companies in Norway (n = 1473). Assessment of independent variables: questions regarding duration of working as a group fitness instructor, weekly instruction and exercise loading and modality, instruction-related injuries, musculoskeletal pain, use of alcohol, tobacco, snuff, menstrual dysfunction and disordered eating (Eating Disorder Inventory, EDI). The respondents were divided into high instruction loading (HIL), ≥5 h/w with instruction; and low instruction loading (LIL), <5 h/w with instruction). Results: The response rate was 57% (n = 837). Mean total loading (instruction and exercise) was 11.8 h/w and 6.3 h/w in the HIL and LIL groups (p < .001), respectively. The prevalence of acute (9% vs. 6%, p < .05), overuse (38% vs. 24%, p < .001) and both acute and overuse injuries (25% vs. 10%, p < .001) was higher in the HIL than in the LIL group (OR: 3.9, CI: 2.7, 5.5). The most prevalent injury locations were ankle and lower leg. The most frequent location for musculoskeletal pain was the shoulder/neck region. Factors associated with injury were instruction loading (h/w), years working as an instructor and EDI score. A high total EDI score predicted musculoskeletal pain. Conclusion: The high prevalence of injuries and musculoskeletal pain suggests a need for prevention strategies in the fitness industry. There is a need for limits regarding weekly instruction loading, especially for classes with high metabolic and/or mechanical loading.