Comparison Of Prevalence Of Neck Pain In Elite And Recreational Swimmers In Navi Mumbai

Abstract

Introduction: Swimming is one of the most popular recreational and competitive sporting activities.Swimming requires highly repetitive upper extremity overhead movements to provide the majority of the propulsive forces for all four main strokes: free-style, butterfly, breaststroke and backstroke. This leads to an increased risk of sustaining an injury, particularly musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries, among swimmers.The neck is also subjected to sustained and repetitive movements, which can have implications for overuse injury. Neck over-rotation loads cervical spine ligaments and muscles, which encourages asymmetrical development. Neck pain (NP) is a common musculoskeletal problem with a lifetime prevalence of 14%–70% in the general population. Elite swimmers participate in International/National/Regional competitions and Recreational swimmers participate in swimming for fitness activity and participate in local swimming competition.

Aim: To compare the prevalence of neck pain in elite and recreational swimmers.

Material And Method:This Descriptive study included 156 Elite and Recreational Swimmers of Navi Mumbai, India. Prevalence of neck pain in swimmers is assessed with the help of ‘Self-made validated questionnaire for Swimmers’ was provided to each participant.  Comparison of prevalence of neck pain was done in Elite and Recreational Swimmers using statistical analysis. Data was further analysed using Chi-square test.

Results:The mean age of study population was 25.53 for Recreational swimmers and 19.75 yearsElite swimmers. Out of the total 78 Recreational swimmers, 49 have never experienced Neck pain, 26 have experienced it sometimes and 3 swimmers have often experienced Neck pain. Out of the total 78 Elite swimmers, 34 have never experienced Neck pain, 37 have experienced it sometimes and 7 swimmers have often experienced Neck pain. There was statistically significant difference seen in prevalence of neck pain in Elite and Recreational swimmers. Elite swimmers have more Neck pain as compared to Recreational swimmers.Rest was the most preferred option for management of symptoms of Neck pain by majority of swimmers followed by physiotherapy and home remedies as the second and third preferred options by most swimmers.

Conclusion:This study concludes that Comparison of prevalence of neck pain in Elite and Recreational swimmers in Navi Mumbai. After comparing, significantly more prevalence was found in Elite swimmers but mild in Recreational swimmers.