Association of upper and lower extremity pain intensity and we.ll-being among young overhead athletes.

Abstract

Background & Objective: Overhead athletes are vulnerable to musculoskeletal pain due to severe stress, repetitive movements and the training demands. Persistent musculoskeletal pain may also influence their general well-being and adversely affect their day to day living. This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the association of upper and lower limb extremity pain intensity and well-being among young overhead athletes.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 141 overhead athletes (aged 18-25 years) at the University of Lahore using non-probability convenient sampling. Data was collected from sports complex of the University of Lahore.

Pain intensity was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and well-being with the Personal Wellbeing Index- Adult (PWI-A). Data on sleep patterns, practice intensity, and health satisfaction were also collected. Associations were analyzed using chi-square tests (P < 0.05).

Results: The mean age of participants was 21.6 ± 2.2 years, and mean weight was 65.09 ± 9.5 kg. Pain was reported as mild (56%), moderate (39%), severe (2.9%) and absent (2.1%). Shoulder was the most affected area (14.2%), while 51.8% reported pain in multiple regions. Sleep deprivation (< 8 hours) was reported by 47.5% of athletes, and 37.7% reported low health satisfaction. A significant association was found between upper and lower extremity pain (P < 0.05). Although statistical analysis revealed no significant association between pain intensity and well-being (P = 0.857), athletes with moderate pain frequently exhibited compromised well-being, suggesting a potential clinical trend that warrants further investigation.

Conclusion: Upper and lower extremity pains are significantly associated with each other among young overhead athletes; however, pain intensity is not related to general well-being. Sleep deprivation is common and may contribute to performance and recovery challenges.

Keywords:  Lower extremity pain; Overhead athlete; Pain intensity; Personal Wellbeing Index–Adult (PWI-A); Upper extremity pain; Visual Analogue Scale

Citation: Mustafa A , Tauqeer S, Zahid M, Noreen K, Hizbullah, Munir S, Sajid M, Fatima M, Nazir I, Ijaz M. Association of upper and lower extremity pain intensity and we.ll-being among young overhead athletes. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2026;30(2):xxxxxxxx. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v30i2.xxxx

Received: September 09, 2025; Revised: October 13, 2025; Accepted: October 13, 2026