Physical activity-related injuries of college students in southern China: A 1-year prospective study

Knowledge, attitudes, practice, and public health education demand regarding PARI prevention: a cross-sectional study among Chinese undergraduates

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of university students in China regarding the need for PARI and public health education.

Methods

A cross-sectional online and offline survey was conducted in China website through Wenjuanxing and in different cities such as Changsha Hunan Province, Shanghai, Chongqing and in different public scenarios, such as hospitals, universities, and commercial venues between September 1 and September 7, 2023, using a 28-question questionnaire designed and reviewed by multidisciplinary experts.

Results

A total of 4,096 respondents were recruited for this study, with 3,957 valid questionnaires. The mean knowledge score was 1.84 ± 0.52, the mean attitude score was 2.12 ± 0.51, and the mean practice score was 3.18 ± 0.55. Regression analyses found that: region, grade, school, and weekly anaerobic exercise time were influences on the knowledge score; region, grade, school, and weekly anaerobic exercise time were influences on the attitude score; region, grade, school attended, weekly anaerobic exercise time and weekly anaerobic exercise time as influences on the practice score. Subgroup analyses revealed that undergraduates from southern regions and 985 schools had higher knowledge attitude scores and lower practice scores. As the grade level increased, the knowledge and attitude scores showed a V-shaped trend and the behavior scores showed an inverted V-shaped trend. Correlation analysis found a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores, and a negative correlation between both and behavior, respectively. The public health education needs survey found that undergraduate students generally preferred guided instruction methods and content centered on the RICE principles, they preferred learning through books and pamphlets, and they were happy to see relevant content promoted in the campus environment.

Conclusion

This study shows that Chinese undergraduate students have less knowledge, neutral attitudes, and good behaviors regarding PARI prevention. Special attention should be paid to meeting the needs of undergraduate students for public health education to equip them with relevant knowledge so that they can better behave in PARI prevention.

The associated factors for physical activity-related injuries among first-year university students in southern China from a biopsychosocial perspective

Background

Understanding the diverse factors influencing physical activity-related injuries is crucial for developing effective interventions that enable individuals to participate in physical activity (PA) while minimizing injury risk. Currently, research evidence on the multiple factors associated with PA-related injuries is inadequate. This study aimed to examine the associations between PA-related injuries and various biological, psychological, and social factors among first-year university students in China.

Methods

We recruited first-year university students from Shantou University in Guangdong Province, China, to participate in our study. Data collection employed a structured self-administered questionnaire, gathering information on PA-related injuries, as well as relevant biological, psychological, and social factors. Binary logistic regression, using a stepwise modeling approach, was employed for the data analysis.

Results

Among 1,051 first-year university students, 28.16% reported having experienced PA-related injuries in the past year. Most of the injuries reported were minor, with the knee or lower leg being the most frequently injured part of the body. Improper posture, environmental conditions, and excessive physical load were the leading causes of PA-related injuries. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that female students (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47-0.94, p = 0.022) had reduced odds of PA-related injuries. Conversely, high neuroticism (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.07-2.41, p = 0.022), being a member of a sports team (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.34-3.27, p < 0.001), PA on the wet ground (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.18-2.54, p = 0.005) increased the odds of PA-related injuries.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore the intricate interplay of various factors contributing to PA-related injuries. Identifying high-risk individuals based on physiological and psychological characteristics, coupled with targeted interventions addressing modifiable risk factors, is crucial for effective prevention.

Effects of functional correction training on movement patterns and physical fitness in male college students

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of functional corrective training and static stretching on the quality of movement patterns and physical fitness in college students. The study was conducted with 30 male college students from a university in Guangzhou, China. The participants were randomly assigned to either the functional corrective training group (FCT, n = 15, age = 20.93 ± 0.85, BMI = 22.07 ± 2.33) or the static stretching group (SS, n = 13, age = 20.85 ± 0.86, BMI = 21.98 ± 1.80). Two participants from the SS group dropped out due to personal reasons, leaving 13 subjects in that group. Both groups underwent a 6-week training intervention, with sessions held twice a week. The FCT group participated in flexibility training, and/or static motor control training, and/or dynamic motor control training for 10-15 min. The SS group performed static stretching exercises targeting five specific muscles, with 30 s per side and two sets. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS), body composition, sit-and-reach, standing long jump, and pull-ups were assessed before and after the intervention. Differences in FMS outcomes were analyzed using two samples of the Mann-Whitney U test. Physical fitness outcomes were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a 2 (group) × 2 (time) design. After 6 weeks of intervention, the FCT group showed statistically significant improvements in the hurdle step (Z = -2.449, p = 0.014), inline lunge (Z = -2.000, p = 0.046), rotary stability (Z = -2.309, p = 0.021), and composite scores (Z = -3.316, p = 0.001). Comparisons between groups indicated that BMI (FCT, ES = 0.04; SS, ES = -0.11), 30-m sprint (FCT, ES = 0.12; SS, ES = 0.28), body fat percentage (BF%) (FCT, ES = -0.25; SS, ES = -0.07), and sit-and-reach (FCT, ES = 0.17; SS, ES = 0.06) were not statistically significant in both the pre- and post-tests. The effect sizes of all physical fitness indicators were greater in the FCT group than in the SS group. The FCT, consisting of two sessions per week for 6 weeks, has been proven to be effective in improving the quality of movement patterns by improved stability and advanced movements. However, the improvements in physical fitness did not reach statistical significance. FMS and FCT are generally affordable and accessible for college students. College students have the opportunity to employ the FMS tool to assess potential injury risks and address them, thereby reducing the risk of injuries.

Sports-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries in Medical Students

Background

Little attention is paid to the problem of sports-related injuries in amateur or nonathletes or recreational student athletes. We investigated the prevalence of sports-related musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries in medical students and attempted to identify the risk factors for these injuries.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based observational study on medical students of a tertiary care teaching hospital in central India. A total of 500 medical students were approached; the questionnaire consisted of details, such as age, gender, height, weight, predominant sport played or the sport during which they sustained an injury, estimated time spent playing every week, if they had undergone any formal training for the sport, any preexisting MSK condition, details of the injury and the treatment taken, if any, after joining medical school, and duration from getting injured to return to studies and sports. The odds ratio (OR) and logistic regression were calculated for multiple parameters. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.

Results

Seventy-four of the 402 students who responded reported sustaining a sports-related injury; 33 and 41 students reported injury while playing contact and noncontact sports, respectively. Of these, 58 students reported that they had received formal training in sports. Football, volleyball, cricket, and kabaddi were the sports during which most injuries occurred. The injury rate was 3.7 per 1000 playing or practice hours.

Conclusions

Almost one-fifth of the students reported sustaining a sports-related MSK injury after joining medical school. The risk factors identified for these injuries were male gender, participation in team sports, participation in noncontact sports, and lack of adequate preparation or practice.