Papageorgiou Konstantina, Mitrousias Vasileios, Tsirelis Daniil, Tzika Georgia, Tsekouras Alexandros, Zygas Nikolaos, Zibis Aristeidis H
Department of Anatomy, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, GRC.
Cureus. 2023 Feb 8;15(2):e34764. doi: 10.7759/cureus.34764. eCollection 2023 Feb.
During the past two years, in most institutions worldwide, educational activities were remodeled for remote delivery, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of two-year distance learning on the physical activity and musculoskeletal health of university students.
This was a national, cross-sectional study using data collected via an online questionnaire distributed through university communication platforms, which included questions on online education routines, musculoskeletal health, and physical activity of university students.
In total, 1,366 students (65% female, 35% male) from 11 universities took part in the survey. The most common sites of reported pain were the neck (59.5%), shoulders (22.8%), back (29%), and low back (66.7%). Musculoskeletal pain significantly increased during the lockdown, according to the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain (before: 2.7 ± 1.6; during: 5.5 ± 2.2, p<0.001). Everyday pain was referred by significantly more students during the lockdown (4.5% vs 36.1 %, p<0.001), while the percentage of asymptomatic students was significantly decreased (40.5% vs 6.1%, p<0.001). Concerning physical activity, the percentage of students who did not exercise significantly increased during the lockdown (15.1% vs 23.2%, p<0.001). Distance learning and total screen time were positively correlated with VAS for pain scores. On the contrary, an increased frequency of ergonomic position, walking intervals, and physical activity was associated with significantly decreased VAS for pain scores.
Distance learning and limited physical activity led to a significant increase in musculoskeletal pain in university students, while exercise and ergonomic body position were considered protective factors. Interventions to encourage physical activity and healthy studying habits should be developed by universities, since distance learning may be again necessary for the future.
在过去两年中，由于新冠疫情，全球大多数机构都对教育活动进行了调整，以实现远程授课。本研究的目的是评估为期两年的远程学习对大学生身体活动和肌肉骨骼健康的影响。
这是一项全国性的横断面研究，使用通过大学通信平台分发的在线问卷收集的数据，问卷内容包括大学生的在线教育日常、肌肉骨骼健康和身体活动情况。
共有来自11所大学的1366名学生（65%为女性，35%为男性）参与了调查。报告疼痛最常见的部位是颈部（59.5%）、肩部（22.8%）、背部（29%）和下背部（66.7%）。根据疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS），在封锁期间肌肉骨骼疼痛显著增加（之前：2.7±1.6；期间：5.5±2.2，p<0.001）。在封锁期间，报告日常疼痛的学生明显增多（4.5%对36.1%，p<0.001），而无症状学生的比例显著下降（40.5%对6.1%，p<0.001）。关于身体活动，在封锁期间不运动的学生比例显著增加（15.1%对23.2%，p<0.001）。远程学习和总屏幕时间与疼痛VAS评分呈正相关。相反，符合人体工程学的姿势、步行间隔和身体活动频率增加与疼痛VAS评分显著降低相关。
远程学习和有限的身体活动导致大学生肌肉骨骼疼痛显著增加，而运动和符合人体工程学的身体姿势被认为是保护因素。由于未来可能再次需要远程学习，大学应制定鼓励身体活动和健康学习习惯的干预措施。
