Purpose: This study aims to measure the prevalence rates of pain in the tibia region and consistent pain (CP) in other body regions among students preparing for the college entrance exam for a major in sports sciences. Additionally, it identifies pote...
Purpose: This study aims to measure the prevalence rates of pain in the tibia region and consistent pain (CP) in other body regions among students preparing for the college entrance exam for a major in sports sciences. Additionally, it identifies potential risk factors associated with the pain.
Method: A cross-sectional study design was applied. A total of 591 provisional candidates who are preparing for physical fitness tests of the college entrance exam participated in this study (mean age=18.8; Female=170, Male=421). Data were collected using a simple check-off form through a self-administrated questionnaire (i.e., Google Form online). Descriptive data analysis, chi-square test, t-test, and binary logistic regression analysis were utilized.
Results: The overall prevalence rates of pain in the tibia region and CP in other body regions were 52.3% and 50%, respectively. The χ²-tests showed that there were significant differences between the high prevalence rate of pain in the tibia region pain and gender, experience of the college academy of entrance exam for physical fitness tests, and CP (p <.05). The prevalence rate of high CP and the experience of the college academy of entrance exam for physical fitness tests (i.e., college academy), and the frequency of training days per week showed significant differences (p <.05). The binary logistic regression analysis showed that tibia pain was associated with being female (OR=1.52), older age (OR=1.45), and longer experience in the college academy (OR=1.03) (p <.05). Also, the CP was related to the older age (OR=1.78) and longer experience in the college academy (OR=1.07) (p <.05).
Conclusion: The prevalence rates of pain in the tibia region and other body regions were high among our research participants. The study found three potential risk factors related to the tibia and two potential risk factors related to other body regions. Further research related to this topic is necessary.