Analysis of the chronic lower limb injuries occurrence in step aerobic instructors in relation to their working step class profile: A three year longitudinal prospective study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Malliou, P.^{a; *} | Rokka, S.^a | Beneka, A.^a | Gioftsidou, A.^a | Mavromoustakos, S.^b | Godolias, G.^a

Affiliations: [a] Physical Education and Sport Science Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Rodopi, Greece | [b] Department of Physiotherapy, Alexander Technological Educational Institutes, Rodopi, Greece

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Paraskevi Malliou, Physiotherapist and Exercise Science Specialist, Physical Education and Sport Science Department, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini, Rodopi, Greece. Tel.: +30 25310 39662; E-mail: pmalliou@phyed.duth.gr

Abstract: Background:There is limited information on injury patterns in Step Aerobic Instructors (SAI) who exclusively execute “step” aerobic classes. Objective:To record the type and the anatomical position in relation to diagnosis of muscular skeletal injuries in step aerobic instructors. Also, to analyse the days of absence due to chronic injury in relation to weekly working hours, height of the step platform, working experience and working surface and footwear during the step class. Methods:The Step Aerobic Instructors Injuries Questionnaire was developed, and then validity and reliability indices were calculated. 63 SAI completed the questionnaire. For the statistical analysis of the data, the method used was the analysis of frequencies, the non-parametric test χ2 (chi square distribution), correlation and linear and logistic regressions analysis from the SPSS statistical package. Results:63 SAI reported 115 injuries that required more than 2 days absence from step aerobic classes. The chronic lower extremity injuries were 73.5%, with the leg pain, the anterior knee pain, the plantar tendinopathy and the Achilles tendinopathy being most common overuse syndromes. The working hours, the platform height, the years of aerobic dance seem to affect the days of absence due to chronic lower limb injury occurrence in SAI.

Keywords: Leg pain, intensity, platform height, floor material, working hours

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-140456

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 361-370, 2014