Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated factors in footvolley players in Brazil

Correia, Igor; Paz, Thiago; Pulcherio, Guilherme; Telles, Gustavo; Reis, Felipe; Meziat-Filho, Ney

doi:10.63231/2595-0118.20250003-pt

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE • Brazilian Journal of Pain 8 • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.63231/2595-0118.20250003-en linkcopy

Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated factors in footvolley players in Brazil

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Footvolley is a new sport that is gaining popularity in Brazil. Several factors contribute to the scarce literature about this sport, such as recent popularization, still-growing practice in the international sphere, and low financial incentives. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated factors in footvolley players in Brazil.

METHODS This is a cross-sectional observational study carried out with 629 footvolley players using an online form. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data, time spent practicing, psychosocial factors and pain intensity were collected.

RESULTS Of the 629 individuals, 450 (71%) were male. More than half of the sample, n=368 (58%), reported being injured while playing footvolley matches, with the lumbar region (41%) being the most affected. Most footvolley players reported pain (54%), and low back pain was the main prevalent condition (46%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed an association between previous injuries while playing footvolley (OR= 1.56; 95% CI: 1.08-2.25; P= 0.017), being a practitioner of the master category (OR= 8.68; 95% CI: 1.01–74.44; P= 0.049) and the prevalence of pain. Also, it was found that the age group between 18 and 22 years (OR= 0.41; 95% CI: 0.19-0.88; P= 0.023) was a protective factor.

CONCLUSION Low back pain was prevalent in footvolley players. Players with previous injuries and those in the master category were more likely to report pain. Being aged between 18 and 22 was a protective factor against pain compared to being over 43.

KEYWORDS:
Musculoskeletal pain; Epidemiology; Sport; Footvolley; Sports medicine; Trauma in athletes

HIGHLIGHTS

Low back pain is prevalent in footvolley players

Players with previous injuries and in the master category were more likely to report pain

Being aged between 18 and 22 years was a protection factor to pain compared with being over 43 years

Variables	Values
Gender, male, n (%)	450 (71.5)
Age, n (%)
18-22 years old	105 (16.69)
23-27 years old	107 (17.02)
28-32 years old	168 (26.71)
33-37 years old	108 (17.17)
38-42 years old	70 (11.12)
>43 years old	71 (11.29)
Height (cm)	173.25 (8.97)
Weight (kg)	75.67 (13.75)
Practice time, n (%)
< 6 months	226 (35.93)
6 months – 1 year	72 (11.45)
1-2 years	86 (13.67)
2-3 years	57 (9.07)
> 3 years	188 (29.88)
Right-handed dominance, n (%)	544 (86.48)
Weekly attendance, n (%)
< 1 day	13 (2.07)
1 day	26 (4.13)
2 days	165 (26.23)
3 days	193 (30.69)
4 days	129 (20.51)
5 days	62 (9.85)
6 days	23 (3.65)
7 days	18 (2.87)
Level, n (%)
Beginner	267 (42.44)
Intermediate	330 (52.46)
Master	15 (2.39)
Professional	17 (2.71)
Other sports participation, n (%)	474 (75.35)

Variables	Values
Got hurt playing, yes, n (%)*	368 (58.5)
Foot and ankle	117 (31.79)
Calf	26 (7.06)
Knee	108 (29.34)
Thigh	64 (17.39)
Groin	103 (27.98)
Hip	34 (9.23)
Lower back	150 (40.76)
Shoulder	18 (4.89)
Neck	50 (13.58)
Head	12 (3.26)
Pain prevalence, n (%)	341 (54.21)
Pain intensity, mean (standard deviation)**	4.37 (1.82)
Sought healthcare professional, n (%)**	215 (63.04)
Missed practice because of the pain, n (%)**	213 (62.46)
Body locations with pain, n (%)
None	252 (40.07)
1	254 (40.39)
2	89 (14.15)
3	28 (4.46)
4	2 (0.31)
5	3 (0.47)
6	1 (0.15)
Pain location, n (%)**
Foot and ankle	61 (17.88)
Calf	28 (8.21)
Knee	133 (39)
Thigh	30 (8.79)
Groin	35 (10.26)
Hip	36 (10.55)
Lower back	156 (45.74)
Shoulder	19 (5.57)
Neck	46 (13.48)
Head	1 (0.29)
Psychosocial factors, mean (standard deviation)
Anxiety	4.72 (3.21)
Social Isolation	1.49 (2.4)
Catastrophization**	2.67 (2.54)
Depression	2.12 (2.69)
Kinesiophobia**	2.84 (2.55)
Stress (0-10)	3.72 (2.91)
Sleep disorder, n (%)
None	276 (43.88)
Little	256 (40.69)
Some	82 (13.04)
Serious	15 (2.39)

	OR adjusted	CI 95%	p-value
Gender (Female)	0.81	0.47-1.38	0.434
Age (years)
18-22	0.42	0.19-0.89	0.023*
23-27	0.97	0.49-1.95	0.942
28-32	0.70	0.37-1.33	0.282
33-37	0.63	0.32-1.25	0.188
38-42	1.33	0.63-2.81	0.460
Height	1.00	0.98-1.03	0.809
Weight	1.01	0.99-1.03	0.115
Practice time
< 6 months	0.90	0.50-1.63	0.736
6 months-1 year	1.03	0.52-2.03	0.938
2-3 years	0.69	0.33-1.44	0.318
> 3 years	0.63	0.35-1.14	0.125
Weekly attendance (days)
1	1.60	0.38-6.63	0.519
2	0.80	0.33-1.96	0.630
3	1.58	0.65-3.81	0.310
4	1.53	0.62-3.79	0.357
5	1.26	0.47-3.38	0.645
6	2.91	0.82-10.28	0.098
7	1.60	0.38-6.63	0.519
Level
Intermediate	1.31	0.83-2.05	0.247
Professional	1.05	0.33-3.32	0.935
Master	8.68	1.01-74.44	0.049*
Psychosocial factors
Social Isolation	1.03	0.95-1.12	0.480
Depression	1.05	0.97-1.13	0.197
Stress	1.07	0.99-1.14	0.076
Trouble sleeping
None	0.82	0.45-1.50	0.517
A little	0.74	0.41-1.32	0.312
Serious	2.91	0.71-11.97	0.138
Got hurt playing	1.56	1.08-2.25	0.017*

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[1] Continuous variables are presented as mean (standard deviation) and categorical variables in absolute values (percentage); cm = centimeters; kg = kilograms.