The relationship between physical activity, postural awareness, low-back pain, and quality of life in university students: The role of gender and body weight

Abstract

This study aimed to determine differences in postural awareness (PAS), low-back pain severity, and quality of life (QoL) across physical activity (PA) levels, gender, and weight parameters among university students. This cross-sectional study included 93 undergraduate students aged 18 to 25 years. Participants were categorised into inactive, minimally active, and active groups based on their PA scores obtained from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. PAS was assessed using the Postural Awareness Scale, low-back pain was measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and QoL was evaluated using the WHOQOL-BREF. Intergroup comparisons were performed using ANOVA, and adjusted analyses for the weight variable, which initially differed between groups, were performed using ANCOVA. Multiple linear regression analyses evaluated the effect of the PA group and gender. Gender distribution (p=0.015) and weight (p=0.016) differed between groups. In unadjusted analyses, rest and night pain showed significant differences according to PAS groups (p<0.01); the inactive group had higher night pain and lower PAS. The active group had a higher psychological and social subparameters of WHOQOL-BREF (p<0.05). After weight adjustment, differences in rest pain (p=0.033), night pain (p=0.001), and PAS (p=0.009) persisted, while differences in QoL domains lost their significance. In regression, PA level was negatively associated with rest/night pain and positively associated with PAS and psychological-social quality of life (p<0.05). Higher PA levels in university students are associated with better postural awareness and lower back pain (especially night pain). Approaches to increase PA might be beneficial in PAS and pain management.