Prevalence of shoulder pain and disability in young Saudi bodybuilders, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: The shoulder complex has been alluded to as one of the most common regions of sports injury. Bodybuilding is getting more popular among Saudi youth in recent years. A vast number of bodybuilders suffer from pain during bodybuilding training. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence and risk factors of shoulder pain and disability in young Saudi bodybuilders, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: this is a cross-sectional study that included subjects from multiple large gyms that offer bodybuilding equipment throughout Riyadh city. All subjects were sampled conveniently. Collected data included demographical data and a disability and pain tools (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH], and Penn Shoulder Score [PSS] scales). Results: A total of 363 subjects participated in this study. the point, last month, last 6 months, last year, and lifetime prevalence of shoulder pain among bodybuilders were 23.4%, 35.5%, 51.4%, 57.6%, and 67.2%, respectively. 111 (30.6%) received treatment because of a shoulder injury and they either received medication, physiotherapy, or surgery with 37%, 57%, and 6%, respectively. Positive DASH sports disability has a significant higher prevalence of shoulder pain of all types (P < 0.001). Using the categorization of the pain score, bodybuilders with a positive PSS have significantly higher prevalence of shoulder pain of all types (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Shoulder pain and disability are very prevalent in bodybuilding reaching up to 67.2% in lifetime prevalence of bodybuilders.