PREVALENCE OF SHOULDER INJURIES AMONG SPORTSMEN IN BAHAWALPUR

Abstract

Background: Shoulder injuries are a growing concern in the sports community due to their impact on functional performance, pain, and athlete well-being. These injuries are commonly linked to overuse, poor biomechanics, and inadequate training, particularly in overhead sports. Female athletes are often found to be at higher risk, possibly due to anatomical and physiological differences. Identifying the prevalence of such injuries within specific populations can aid in developing preventive and rehabilitative strategies.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of shoulder injuries among sportsmen in Bahawalpur using a standardized pain and disability assessment tool.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from September to November 2023 in Bahawalpur. A total of 385 male and female sports participants, aged 18 to 30 years, were recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using the validated Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) questionnaire. The participants were selected from various sports including volleyball, cricket, football, swimming, rugby, badminton, kabaddi, hockey, wrestling, boxing, and tennis. SPSS version 27.0 was used for statistical analysis, and ethical approval was granted by the Institute Research Committee of the Agile Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences.

Results: Of the 385 participants, 320 (83.1%) were male and 65 (16.9%) were female. The age distribution included 164 participants aged 18–21 years, 206 aged 22–27 years, and 15 aged 28–30 years. SPADI scores indicated that 43.6% of cases fell within the moderate severity range. The highest prevalence of shoulder injuries was noted in volleyball players (13%), with the greatest age-specific prevalence seen at 28 years (12%). Female participants exhibited a slightly higher prevalence (38%) compared to males (37%).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that shoulder injuries are more prevalent in overhead sports, with increased occurrence in older and female athletes. Sports such as volleyball, football, swimming, rugby, and hockey showed the highest injury rates among Bahawalpur athletes.