The status of menstrual status and exercise habits, musculoskeletal injuries among female junior high school students

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the menstrual status, exercise habits, and incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among junior high school girls and use this information to assist physiotherapists in contributing to school health interventions.

Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey with 204 second-year female junior high school students regarding their experiences with musculoskeletal injuries in the past year, exercise habits, including exercise types and menstrual status. Height and weight measurement data were obtained from the school in April of each year. The survey results were analyzed using simple tabulation and cross-tabulation. We calculated the Rohrer index, which represents physique, using height and weight data. Then, we divided the participants into two groups based on their menarche-onset status: menarche-onset and menarche-non-onset groups. Subsequently, the t-test was used to compare the two groups. Furthermore, we performed a chi-square test to examine the relationship between the presence or absence of menarche, exercise habits, and musculoskeletal injuries. IBM SPSS Statistics version 24 was used for the statistical analysis, with a 5 % significance level.

Results: By April, 144 (70 %) of second-year junior high school students had experienced menarche, while 34 (17 %) had not. The group with delayed menarche had a significantly lower body weight and body mass index than the group with menarche. And approximately half of the menarcheal group reported their menstrual status as “not regular”. No significant difference was observed in menarche onset and exercise habits (p＝0.47, φ＝0.054)，as well as the relationship between menarche onset and injuries (p＝0.124, φ＝−0.148). In some exercise, the proportion of menstrual cycle irregularities and non-menstrual cycles was high.

Conclusion: These observations suggest that in school health interventions among female junior high school students, understanding the menstrual status, types of exercises, and exercise volume is crucial while collaborating with various relevant parties.