The Effect of Problematic Smartphone Use on Physical Activity Level and Musculoskeletal Pain

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the effects of problematic smartphone use on physical activity level and musculoskeletal pain.

Methods Two hundred eighty university students (185 female; 95 male; mean age: 20.84±2.37 years) were included in the study. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to determine the level of physical activity. Problematic smartphone use was determined using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form (SAS-SF) and musculoskeletal pain using the Nordic Musculoskeletal System Questionnaire.

Results When SAS-SF scores were examined, it was seen that 31.8% (89 people) of the participants had problematic smartphone use. A moderate negative correlation was found between problematic smartphone use and physical activity level (p=0.0001; r=−0.419). Neck (p=0.017) and back pain (p=0.040) severity was higher in people with problematic smartphone use.

Conclusions The findings show that problematic smartphone use has negative effects on both physical activity level and pain severity. For this reason, problematic smartphone use should be questioned in university students with neck and back pain.

Zusammenfassung

Ziele Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Auswirkungen einer problematischen Smartphone-Nutzung auf die körperliche Aktivität und Schmerzen des Bewegungsapparates zu bestimmen.

Methoden Zweihundertachtzig Universitätsstudenten (185 weiblich; 95 männlich; Durchschnittsalter: 20,84±2,37 Jahre) wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Der Internationale Fragebogen zur körperlichen Aktivität wurde verwendet, um das Niveau der körperlichen Aktivität zu bestimmen. Die problematische Smartphone-Nutzung wurde mit der Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form (SAS-SF) und Muskel-Skelett-Schmerzen mit dem Nordic Musculoskeletal System Questionnaire ermittelt.

Ergebnisse Bei der Untersuchung der SAS-SF-Scores wurde festgestellt, dass 31,8% (89 Personen) der Teilnehmer eine als problematisch angesehene Smartphone-Nutzung zeigten. Zwischen problematischer Smartphone-Nutzung und körperlicher Aktivität wurde eine moderat negative Korrelation gefunden (p=0,0001; r=−0.419). Der Schweregrad von Nacken- (p=0,017) und Rückenschmerzen (p=0,040) war bei Personen mit problematischer Smartphone-Nutzung höher.

Schlussfolgerung Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine problematische Smartphone-Nutzung negative Auswirkungen sowohl auf das körperliche Aktivitätsniveau als auch auf die Schmerzstärke hat. Aus diesem Grund sollte bei Studierenden mit Nacken- und Rückenschmerzen eine übermaßige Smartphone-Nutzung hinterfragt werden.

Key words

addiction - pain - physical activity - smartphone

Schlüsselwörter

Sucht - Schmerzen - Physische Aktivität - Smartphone

Publication History

Received: 04 December 2021

Accepted: 02 September 2022

Article published online:
19 October 2022

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