Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain in Amateur Golfers in the State of São Paulo: A Cross-sectional Study.

Abstract

Objective To verify the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in amateur golfers in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods The present is a cross-sectional study performed from September 2019 to March 2020 in golf clubs affiliated to Federação Paulista de Golfe (São Paulo Golf Federation). Federation players were evaluated regarding data on golf practice and sport routine by a main investigator, though an assessment form with multiple-choice questions, to determine sample characteristics and recent pain intensity by the Visual Analogue Scale. Results Approximately 359 amateur golfers were analyzed. The prevalence of pain was of 55.15% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 50.0% to 60.3%); the average pain intensity according to the VAS was moderate (mean ± standard deviation: 5.21 ± 2.04; odds ration [OR]: 47,98%). The golfer's age range was significantly associated with the presence of pain ( p < 0.05). The highest prevalence estimate of pain was of 68.80% in the age group between 30 and 39 years (OR: 7,33; 95%CI: 2,26 to 23,85; p = 0,0009). The segments most affected by pain were the upper limbs (65.66%), followed by the spine (59.09%) and the lower limbs (32.83%). Conclusion There is a high prevalence rate of pain in Brazilian amateur golfers, especially in younger players in the age group between 30 and 39 years.