Table 2.
Pain prevalence and physical test performance for males and females
| Pain variable | All Participants % (count) with history of pain | Male % (count) with history of pain | Female % (count) with history of pain | Gender difference | |
| χ2 | P | ||||
| NSP ever | 46.8 | 41.9 | 52.0 | 16.3 | <0.001 |
| NSP in last month | 28.7 | 22.9 | 34.7 | 27.1 | <0.001 |
| Chronic NSP | 8.2 | 6.8 | 9.8 | 4.8 | 0.029 |
| Diagnosed NSP | 7.1 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 0.05 | 0.828 |
| Physical variable | All Participants mean (sd) | Males mean (sd) | Females mean (sd) | Gender difference | |
| tdf(unless stated otherwise) | P | ||||
| Height | 1.64 (0.08) | 1.66 (0.09) | 1.62 (0.06) | -0.421598 | <0.001 |
| Weight | 57.7 (13.2) | 58.6 (14.1) | 56.7 (12.1) | -1.921599 | 0.004 |
| BMI | 21.29 (4.15) | 21.05 (4.14) | 21.53 (4.16) | 2.301598 | 0.022 |
| Waist girth (cm) | 75.5 (10.8) | 76.3 (11.4) | 74.6 (10.1) | -3.151579 | 0.002 |
| Arm circumference (cm) | 25.2 (3.3) | 25.3 (3.4) | 25.1 (3.3) | -1.171599 | 0.244 |
| PWC 170 score (W) | 111.2 (29.9) | 124.3 (31.7) | 97.2 (19.9) | -19.601501 | <0.001 |
| Back muscle endurance (seconds) | 80.9 (60.4) | 77.8 (60.1) | 84.2 (60.5) | 2.121574 | 0.034 |
| Abdominal muscle endurance (number of curls in 3 min) | 21.4 (17.4) | 25.4 (18.8) | 17.2 (14.6) | -9.601569 | <0.001 |
| Standing long jump distance (metres) | 1.46 (0.29) | 1.59 (0.28) | 1.32 (0.23) | -20.901588 | <0.001 |
| Basketball throw (metres) | 5.3 (1.0) | 5.7 (1.0) | 4.8 (0.7) | -21.721583 | <0.001 |
| Total Hand strength – right and left combined (kg) | 51.8 (13.5) | 57.0 (14.8) | 46.3 (9.1) | -17.201597 | <0.001 |
| Shoulder stretch (L) (%able) | 88.9% | 84.7% | 92.8% | χ2 = 26.1 | 1 <0.001 |
| NDI score | 97.2 (17.4) | 97.3 (18.1) | 97.0 (16.6) | -0.311576 | 0.741 |
| Persistent control factor score | 103.3 (25.4) | 99.9 (26.4) | 106.8 (23.7) | 5.441594 | <0.001 |
| Muscle Power factor score | 95.9 (20.2) | 102.4 (19.8) | 89.2 (18.5) | -13.791583 | <0.001 |
| Kinaesthetic Integration factor score | 96.9 (15.2) | 96.7 (15.7) | 97.2 (14.7) | 0.681596 | 0.501 |
| Bimanual Dexterity factor score | 97.1 (19.3) | 95.1 (19.3) | 99.1 (19.1) | 4.091598 | <0.001 |
Females had more NSP ever (P < 0.001, χ2 = 16.26), more NSP in the past month (P < 0.001, χ2 = 27.11) and more chronic NSP (P = 0.029, χ2 = 4.75). There were significant gender differences for height and weight and all physical characteristics (P < 0.05) except arm circumference, kinaesthetic integration and the NDI score.
*P < 0.1, **P < 0.05, ***P < 0.01. OR = Odds Ratio, 95%CI = 95% confidence interval, IQR = interquartile range, NDI = neurodevelopmental index, MP = muscle power, PC = persistent control, BD = bimanual dexterity, PWC = Physical Work Capacity.
1 group unable to do stretch is compared to group able to do stretch.