Factors associated with prevalence of pain and musculoskeletal injuries in Brazilian kickboxers: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Summary Study aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with pain and musculoskeletal injuries in Brazilian kickboxers. Material and methods: This is a cross-sectional study composed of a population of kickboxers from the academies affiliated to the Rio Grande do Norte State Federation of Kickboxing. The study was conducted by means of a questionnaire regarding their demographic data, graduation and level of participation in the modality, routines of procedures during training, and pain/ discomfort regions and respective intensities. In addition, the characteristics, types, and regions of the injuries were evaluated. Results: Of the 132 kickboxers included, a high prevalence of pain (84.09%) was observed and associated with the female gender (OR = 3.62; CI95% 1.29–10.13) and body mass index (OR = 0.80; CI95% 0.71–0.91). In addition, the kickboxers presented a moderate percentage of injuries (40.91%) that were associated with longer training time (OR = 5.82; CI95% 2.68–12.61) and contact level in the training sessions (OR = 3.53; CI95% 1.85–6.72). Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in kickboxers, mainly associated with female gender and with lower body mass. Musculoskeletal injuries were moderately prevalent in kickboxers who trained more than one hour per session and with an intense contact level.