Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2025
Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024
Musculoskeletal Disorders and Quality of Life in Chilean Teachers: A Cross-Sectional Study
Gustavo Vega-Fernández1,2, Enrique Olave3, Pablo A Lizana1
1Laboratory of Epidemiology and Morphological Sciences, Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
Introduction:
Teaching professionals have reported multiple conditions associated with low quality of life (QoL) perception. Various studies have also reported high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). In this context, there are few studies regarding the association between low QoL perception and MSD suffering in teachers.
Objective:
Therefore, in this study the aim was evaluate MSD prevalence and its association with teachers' QoL perception.
Participants And Methods:
A total sample of 544 Chilean teachers were included in a cross-sectional study. MSD prevalence was evaluated via the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and QoL perception via the Short-Form 36 Health Survey Instrument. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to evaluate the association between MSD and QoL perception adjusted for gender and age.
Results:
A total of 91% of teachers have had some MSD in the last 12 months, and 28.86% have had 6 or more painful regions. Females showed greater MSD prevalence than males. Teachers who reported no MSD had higher QoL scores compared to teachers with MSD. The group of teachers with the most MSD (≥p75) saw significant increases in the risk of having low scores in the physical (OR: 2.82) and mental components (OR: 2.65) of QoL. By contrast, teachers without MSD have a buffer effect for their QoL (physical OR: 0.2; mental OR: 0.44).
Conclusions:
High MSD prevalence suggest that preventive and informative actions must be taken regarding these disorders to protect teachers' mental and physical health, considering the multiple risk factors to which teachers are exposed given their work conditions in Chile and worldwide.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...