Associations Between Type Of Exercise And Migraine Triggers In College Students During The Covid Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic affected multiple lifestyle aspects including, exercise, sleep, and general mental health. There is a dearth of research on the associations of exercise and migraines during COVID-19 among college students. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess associations of type of exercise performed and migraine triggers in college students suffering from migraine headaches during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Two identical surveys were sent to 9535 (Fall, 2019) and 9304 students (Spring, 2021) at a mid-sized university in Florida. In 2019, a total of 725 (7.6%) and in 2021, 522 (5.6%) students responded to the survey. In 2019, students were aged 20.81 ± 4.32 y.o. and in 2021, 20.95 ± 3.19 y.o. In 2019, there were primarily females: 80.17% (n = 578); males: 18.86% (n = 136); other: 0.96% (n = 7). In 2021, there were mostly females: 73.85% (n = 384); males: 25.19% (n = 131); other: 0.96% (n = 5)]. Prevalence of migraine headache, self-reported triggers, exercise habits, perception of exercise effects on migraine, and relationship between stress (PSS) and migraine impact (HIT-6) were examined via R and MS Excel. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported migraine headaches was 60.39% (n = 305) in 2021 and 65.35% (n = 462) in 2019. Migraine headache confirmed by a physician was 21.58% (n = 109) in 2021 and 28.58% (n = 199) in 2019. Academic and life stress, as well as lack of sleep were reported as the main triggers for migraine headaches. Cardiovascular (CV) exercises were performed at least 2 days/week in 2019 by 39.15% (n = 220) responders and resistance (RE) exercises by 29.01% (n = 163) respectively; and in 2021, CV exercises were performed by 38.52% (n = 155) responders and RE exercises by 33% (n = 133) respectively. Responders significantly (p = 0.049) preferred more RE exercises than any other type of exercises during pandemic. There were insignificant associations (p = 0.056) between CV and one of the major migraine triggers - academic stress. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of migraine during the COVID-19 pandemic slightly declined in college students. During the pandemic they preferred RE more than other types of exercises. Association of CV and academic stress suggests that more studies must be completed to better understand influence of types of exercise on migraine headache and its’ triggers.