Association between sport participation and knee symptoms: a cross-sectional study among undergraduate medical students at King Abdulaziz University

Abstract

Background: The engagement of university students in sports activities was associated with sports injuries involving the knee. The present study aimed at evaluating the association between sports involvement and knee symptoms and other risk factors in King Abdulaziz University Medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 358 undergraduate medical students at King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from the second to the sixth academic years. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect data about participants' demographics, body mass index, smoking, coffee intake, academic activities, smartphone, Internet, computer use, type of school bag, work surface, part-time job, sports activities, and its types were added. Data about musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the knee and other body parts and their patterns and practicing of sports were collected. Results: The prevalence of life experience of musculoskeletal in the knee was 35.5%. While 27.4% experienced it in the last 12 months, and 16.2% experienced it in the previous week. Of the participants, 9.8% were currently experiencing MSDs in the knee. The mean pain intensity of those with musculoskeletal disease was 5.44 ± 1.8, with 8.7% skipping school because of their MSD and 50.8% souk medical advice. Ex-smokers, those with a lower mean of hours per week of engagement in clinical sessions, who were playing fitness sports, and who experienced MSDs in other body parts had a significantly higher percentage of having a history of knee symptoms. Conclusion: Health education programs about the relationship between knee disorders and sports and other risk factors should be directed to university students.