Pilates instructors: prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, associated occupational factors and comparison of quality of life relative to Brazilian reference values.

Background: Pain is a public health problem with negative impact on quality of life.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated occupational factors among Pilates instructors, and to compare their quality of life relative to Brazilian reference values.

Method: A total of 166 Pilates instructors from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (consecutive sampling) with degrees in physical education or physical therapy responded the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey and Work-related Habits Questionnaire. Statistical analysis included calculation of prevalence ratios (Poisson regression) and the simple t-test.

Results: About 62% and 63.3% of the participants reported neck and low back pain, respectively. The prevalence of neck (19%) and low back (16%) pain was higher among the participants who reported to feel always stressed regarding psychological pressure. The prevalence of neck pain was 25% higher among the participants who reported to feel always stressed regarding decision making. The prevalence of neck (15%) and low back (13%) pain was higher among the participants who reported not to perform physical activity. The prevalence of low back pain was 26%, 17% and 24% higher among the participants who reported to always perform physical effort, work standing and use computers, respectively. The scores on seven quality of life domains differed significantly between Pilates instructors and the national average.

Conclusion: Psychological pressure and sedentary lifestyle were associated with neck and low back pain. Physical effort, work standing and computer use were associated with low back pain, and occupational stress with neck pain. Pilates instructors scored lower on seven quality of life domains, the exception being physical functioning.