Prevalence and associated factors of musculoskeletal disorders in Physical Education teachers in Bogotá, Colombia

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v76.118035

Keywords:

Musculoskeletal disorders, physical activity, occupational health, physical education and training

Abstract

Introduction: Teaching physical education involves a heavy workload, which is a predisposing factor for musculoskeletal disorders. In Bogotá, Colombia, this problem is particularly relevant due to the working and ergonomic conditions specific to the educational context.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors in physical education teachers in educational institutions in Bogotá, Colombia, as well as to explore levels of physical activity.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with a sample of 262 teachers from 42 public institutions. The Nordic Questionnaire on Musculoskeletal Disorders was used to report the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Associations between musculoskeletal disorders and sociodemographic and occupational variables were analyzed using simple binary logistic regression models.

Results: 22.5% were women, and the predominant age group was 25 to 35 years (43.9%). The areas of the body with the highest prevalence in the last twelve months were the back (45.8%) and shoulders (35.1%). The presence of musculoskeletal disorders was significantly associated with years of teaching experience (OR=3.39; 95% CI: 1.41–7.65), being female (OR=4.94; 95% CI: 1.94–12.59), age (OR=5.06; 95% CI: 1.25–20.59), and teaching more than 400 students per working day (OR=4.50; 95% CI: 1.74–11.62).

Conclusion: Occupational and sociodemographic factors showed a significant association with the presence of musculoskeletal disorders, underscoring the importance of developing preventive policies and programs focused on promoting healthy habits among physical education teachers.

References

Abdul Rahim, A. A., Jeffree, M. S., Ag Daud, D. M., Pang, N., & Sazali, M. F. (2022). Factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among regular and special education teachers: A narrative review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11704. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811704

Balboa‑Castillo, T., Muñoz, S., Serón, P., Andrade‑Mayorga, O., Lavados‑Romo, P., & Aguilar‑Farias, N. (2023). Validity and reliability of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form in Chilean adults. PLOS ONE, 18(10), e0291604. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291604

Both, J., Borgatto, A. F., Lemos, C. A. F., Ciampolini, V., & do Nascimento, J. V. (2017). Physical education teachers’ wellbeing and its relation with gender. Motricidade, 13(4), 23-32. https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.10165

Cancela, J. M., Ayán, C., Vila, H., Gutiérrez, J. M., & Gutiérrez‑Santiago, A. (2019). Construct validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire‑Short Form in Spanish university students. Revis-ta Iberoamericana de Diagnóstico y Evaluación – e Avaliação Psicológica, 52(3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.21865/RIDEP52.3.01

Cardoso, J. P., Ribeiro, I. D., Araújo, T. M., Carvalho, F. M., & Reis, E. J. (2009). Prevalência de dor muscu-loesquelética em professores. Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia, 12(4), 604–614. https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rbepid/v12n4/10.pdf

Da Silva, P. S., De Almeida, I. M. A., Gonçalves, J. T. da S., Duarte, L. de A., França, I. C. O., Do Couto, M. H. S. H. F., Mendes, T. C., & Da Fonseca, R. B. (2023). Dor osteomuscular relacionada ao trabalho e sua influência na qualidade de vida de professores que atuam na comunidade de Itacoanzinho no município do Acará-PA. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, 6(6), 32297–32318. https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv6n6-442

Dawson, A. P., Steele, E. J., Hodges, P. W., & Stewart, S. (2009). Development and test–retest reliability of an extended version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E): A screening in-strument for musculoskeletal pain. The Journal of Pain, 10(5), 517–526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2008.11.008

De Souza, J. M., Tebar, W. R., Delfino, L. D., Tebar, F. S. G., Gobbo, L. A., Pinto, R. Z., da Silva, C. C. M., Oliveira, C. B. S., & Christofaro, D. G. D. (2022). Relationship between physical activity domains and musculoskeletal disorders in public school teachers. International Journal of Industrial Er-gonomics, 92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2022.103379

Dorman, J. P. (2003). Relationship between school and classroom environment and teacher burnout: A LISREL analysis. Social Psychology of Education, 6, 107–127. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023296126723

Durmus, D., & Ilhanli, I. (2012). Are there work-related musculoskeletal problems among teachers in Samsun, Turkey?. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 25(1), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.3233/BMR-2012-0304

Erick, P. N., & Smith, D. R. (2011). A systematic review of musculoskeletal disorders among school teachers. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 12, 260. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-12-260

Erick, P. N., & Smith, D. R. (2015). Musculoskeletal disorders in the teaching profession: An emerging workplace hazard with significant repercussions for developing countries. Industrial Health, 53(4), 385–386. 10.2486/indhealth.2014-0218

Fernandes, M. H., Rocha, V. M. da, & Fagundes, A. A. R. (2011). Impacto da sintomatología osteomuscu-lar na qualidade de vida de professores. Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia, 14(2), 276–284. 10.1590/s1415-790x2011000200009

Garber, C. E., Blissmer, B., Deschenes, M. R., Franklin, B. A., Lamonte, M. J., Lee, I. M., Nieman, D. C., & Swain, D. P. (2011). American College of Sports Medicine position stand: Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining fitness. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(7), 1334–1359. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e318213fefb

Grabara, M. (2023). The association between physical activity and musculoskeletal disorders: A cross-sectional study of teachers. PeerJ, 11, e14872. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14872

Gerber, M., & Pühse, U. (2009). Review article: Do exercise and fitness protect against stress-induced health complaints? A review of the literature. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 37(8), 801–819. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494809350522

Gikaro, J., Goi, G. C., Taamala, F. H., Minduva, Z. M., Welema, J. C., Hamadi, H. H., & Swai, E. A. (2025). Prevalence and factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among primary and second-ary school teachers. Frontiers in Public Health, 13.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1654131

Gómez-Rodríguez, R., Díaz-Pulido, B., Gutiérrez-Ortega, C., Sánchez-Sánchez, B., & Torres-Lacomba, M. (2020). Cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the standardised Nordic question-naire Spanish version in musicians. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(2), 653. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17020653

Jeffree, M. S., Rahim, A. A. A., Daud, D. M. A., Pang, N., Sazali, M. F., Sudi, S., & Noordin, R. (2024). Predic-tors of musculoskeletal disorders among special education teachers in Sabah, Malaysia. Heliyon, 10(10), e31134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31134

Kovač, M., Leskošek, B., Hadžić, V., & Jurak, G. (2013). Occupational health problems among Slovenian physical education teachers. Kinesiology, 45(1), 92–100. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1390424

Kuorinka, I., Jonsson, B., Kilbom, A., Vinterberg, H., Biering-Sørensen, F., Andersson, G., & Jørgensen, K. (1987). Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Ap-plied Ergonomics, 18(3), 233–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(87)90010-x

IPAQ Research Committee. (2005). Guía para el procesamiento y análisis de datos del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física (IPAQ): Versiones corta y larga https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/export/drupaljda/IPAQ_Procesamiento_Datos_UGR_2005.pdf

Lee, P. H., Macfarlane, D. J., Lam, T. H., & Stewart, S. M. (2011). Validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF): A systematic review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 8, 115. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-8-115

Lipponen, H., Hirvensalo, M., & Salin, K. (2022). Older physical education teachers' wellbeing at work and its challenges. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 14250. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114250

Liu, C. H., Hung, Y. H., Chen, K. R., Tsai, L. Y., Lin, C. Y., Chen, S. P., & Liu, C. C. (2025). Prevalence of mus-culoskeletal disorders and their association with work-related characteristics among university teachers in Taiwan: A cross-sectional survey. Work, 82(1), 220–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/10519815251337041

Manojlović, D., & Kopše, E. I. (2023). The effectiveness of aerobic exercise for pain management in pa-tients with fibromyalgia. European Journal of Translational Myology, 33(3), 11423. https://doi.org/10.4081/ejtm.2023.11423

Markelj, N., Kovač, M., Leskošek, B., & Jurak, G. (2024). Occupational health disorders among physical education teachers compared to classroom and subject specialist teachers. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1390424. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1390424

Mateos‑González, L., Rodríguez‑Suárez, J., Llosa, J. A., & Agulló‑Tomás, E. (2024). Versión española del Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire: adaptación transcultural y validación en personal auxi-liar de enfermería. Anales del Sistema Sanitario de Navarra, 47(1). https://doi.org/10.23938/assn.1066

Meh, K., Jurak, G., Sorić, M., Rocha, P., & Sember, V. (2021). Validity and reliability of IPAQ‑SF and GPAQ for assessing sedentary behaviour in adults in the European Union: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4602. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094602

Mekoulou Ndongo, J., Bika Lele, E. C., Guessogo, W. R., Meche, L. P., Ayina Ayina, C. N., Guyot, J., Zengue, B., Lobe Tanga, M. Y., Owana Manga, L. J., Temfemo, A., Barth, N., Bongue, B., Mandengue, S. H., & Assomo Ndemba, P. B. (2022). Musculoskeletal disorders among secondary school teachers in Douala, Cameroon: The effect of the practice of physical activities. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3, 1023740. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2022.1023740

Namnik, N., Negahban, H., Salehi, R., Shafizadeh, R., & Tabib, M. S. (2016). Validity and reliability of Per-sian version of the Specific Nordic questionnaire in Iranian industrial workers. Work, 54(1), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-162268

Ng, Y. M., Voo, P., & Maakip, I. (2019). Psychosocial factors, depression, and musculoskeletal disorders among teachers. BMC Public Health, 19, 234. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6553-3

Quinn, TD & Barone Gibbs, B. (2023). Context matters: The importance of physical activity domains for public health. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, 6(4), 245-249. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmpb.2023-0030

Ramírez‑García, C. O., Lluguay‑Quispillo, D. J., Inga‑Lafebre, J. D., Cuenca‑Lozano, M. F., Oje-da‑Zambrano, R. M., & Cárdenas‑Baque, C. C. (2023). Musculoskeletal disorders in primary school teachers. Sustainability, 15(23), 16222. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316222

Ribas, T. M., Teodori, R. M., Mescolotto, F. F., Montebelo, M. I. L., Baruki, S. B. S., & Pazzianotto-Forti, E. M. (2021). Impact of physical activity levels on musculoskeletal symptoms and absenteeism of workers of a metallurgical company. Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Trabalho, 18(4), 425–433. https://doi.org/10.47626/1679-4435-2020-572

Samad, N. I. A., Abdullah, H., Moin, S., Tamrin, S. B. M., & Hashim, Z. (2010). Prevalence of low back pain and its risk factors among schoolteachers. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 7(5), 634–639. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2010.634.639

Sandmark, H. (2000). Musculoskeletal dysfunction in physical education teachers. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 57(10), 673-677. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.57.10.673

Silva, N. R. da, & Almeida, M. A. (2012). Physical and postural aspects of teachers during work activity. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 41(S1), 3657-3662. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-2012-0005-3657

Tahernejad, S., Hejazi, A., Rezaei, E., Makki, F., Sahebi, A., & Zangiabadi, Z. (2024). Musculoskeletal disor-ders among teachers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1399552. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1399552

Vargas-Prada, S., & Coggon, D. (2015). Psychological and psychosocial determinants of musculoskeletal pain and associated disability. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 29(3), 374–390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.berh.2015.03.003

Vercruysse, S., Haerens, L., Verhagen, E., Goossens, L., & De Clercq, D. (2016). Effects of a multifactorial injury prevention intervention in physical education teachers: A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Sport Science, 16(7), 868–876. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2016.1140812

Yue, P., Liu, F., & Li, L. (2012). Neck/shoulder pain and low back pain among school teachers in China: Prevalence and risk factors. BMC Public Health, 12, 789. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-789

Downloads

Published

02-03-2026

Issue

Section

Original Research Article

How to Cite

Morales-Mora, G. Y., Ceballos-Bernal, E. A., & Correa-Bautista, J. E. (2026). Prevalence and associated factors of musculoskeletal disorders in Physical Education teachers in Bogotá, Colombia. Retos, 76, 317-329. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v76.118035