Affiliations: Sackler Faculty of Medicine, School of Health
Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy, Tel Aviv University, Ramat
Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Navah NZ Ratzon, Ph.D., Sackler
Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Professions, Dept. of Occupational
Therapy, Tel Aviv University, P.O.B. 39040, Tel Aviv (69978), Israel. Tel.:
+972 3 6405443; Fax: +972 3 6409933; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Background: With increasing numbers of adults taking part in amateur
athletic activity during leisure hours there have been indications that amateur
athletic activity may have negative effects on musculoskeletal disease. A
literature review focusing on musculoskeletal injuries among bowlers provided
only limited references. Study objectives: Studying the characteristic of bowlers
complaining of musculoskeletal disorders in general and of upper extremity
cumulative trauma disorders specifically, and locating the factors that
statistically predict musculoskeletal disorders among Israeli bowlers. Methods: The research population includes 98 amateur bowlers
who attended two bowling clubs (cluster sampling). Musculoskeletal disorders of
the research population were assessed by subjective report using the
Standardized Nordic Questionnaires. Further use was made of questionnaires
concerning bio-demographic data, work assessment, and the characteristics of
the bowling game. Results: Sixty two percent of bowlers reported the presence of
musculoskeletal symptoms in one or more of their body joints during the
preceding year. Regression analysis with the number of painful joints in the
upper extremities as a dependent variable revealed one main predictor: the
number of leagues in which the bowler participated (β = 0.22, p <
0.03). When the dependent variable was the number of painful joints in the
entire body, the statistical predictor was the average achievement of the
bowlers (β = 0.40, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Research findings shed light on the unique
musculoskeletal disorders of bowlers. Bowlers should be instructed with regard
to what are the safe limits of their leisure activities.
