Associations between work-related and leisure-time physical activity and musculoskeletal pain among early childhood teachers

This study examined the associations between work-related and leisure-time physical activity (PA) and musculoskeletal pain among early childhood teachers. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 125 teachers from childcare centers and kindergartens in Korea. Data were collected using a structured online questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, Korean version of Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. PA was classified by domain (work-related and leisure-time) and intensity: vigorous physical activity (VPA) and moderate physical activity (MPA). Musculoskeletal pain was assessed in seven body regions. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and binary logistic regression were performed. The results showed that the duration of work-related PA was significantly greater than that of leisure-time PA. Leisure-time VPA was associated with lower pain intensity in the neck, shoulder, and low back, whereas MPA was associated only with neck pain. Correlation analyses showed negative associations between leisure-time VPA and pain in the neck, shoulder, arm/elbow, and low back. Leisure-time VPA was independently associated with lower odds of neck pain (odds ratio [OR], 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13–0.75) and shoulder pain (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.14–0.89), whereas MPA showed no significant independent associations. These findings suggest that leisure-time VPA was associated with lower musculoskeletal pain among early childhood teachers.