Abstract
The 2008 Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines for Americans (PAGA) include aerobic and muscle strengthening activities (MSA). The PAGA make no recommendations for stretching. PURPOSE: Relate muscle strength and flexibility with musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) incurred while participating in PA. METHODS: An orthopedic examination was conducted on 918 community-dwelling women in the WIN Study. Lower limb muscle strength (hip abductors/external rotators, knee flexors/extensors) and flexibility (lumbar spine, hamstrings, gastrocnemius) were assessed with a hand-held dynamometer and electronic inclinometer, respectively. MSI and weekly minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were self-reported for up to 3 years. MSI was reported if it interrupted daily routine for ≥2 days or if seen by a health care provider. Logistic regression related MSI to muscle strength and flexibility using the lowest quintile as the referent and controlling for previous injury, age, and MVPA. RESULTS: Data on 900 women were analyzed (M age = 52.6 ±12.5; M wt = 73.8 ±17.3 kg; M BMI=27.5 ±6.2). 242 (26.9%) of 900 women reported a MSI during PA and 694 (77.1%) reported a previous injury. Univariate regression models suggest hamstring flexibility (OR=1.6; 95% CI=1.1 to 2.3) and previous history of MSI (OR=2.6; 95% CI = 1.7 to 3.9) relate to increased risk of MSI. The lowest quintile for strength in any individual muscle did not predict MSI but being in the bottom quintile for both hip abductors and external rotators increased risk of MSI (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.0 to 2.8). Being in the bottom quintile for both knee flexors and extensors did not increase risk of MSI (OR=1.3; 95% CI=0.8 to 2.0). A multivariate model for hamstring flexibility and hip abductor/external rotator strength controlling for age, previous MSI, and MVPA min/week reveals that women with low hamstring flexibility (OR=1.6; 95% CI=1.1 to 2.3) or hip abductor and external rotator strength (OR=1.9; 95% CI=1.1 to 3.3) were at increased MSI risk. CONCLUSION: Women with low hip muscle strength or hamstring flexibility are more likely to report a MSI but increased risk is most highly related to having had a previous MSI. Hamstring stretching may be advisable for women even though there are no recommendations for flexibility activities in the PAGA. Supported by NIH Grant R01 AR052459-05
Published Version
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