Introduction: Previous studies have reported controversial associations between exercise and neck or shoulder pains in adolescents. In this study we evaluated the relationships between physical activity or sedentary activities and neck or occipital pain (NOP) or shoulder pain (SP) in a representative sample of adolescents.

Methods: The study population consisted of adolescents belonging to the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (n=5993). Associations of physical activity level, total sitting time, and different kinds of sedentary activities with NOP and SP were analyzed at 15–16 years of age using logistic regression. “Reporting NOP and SP” (not seeking medical help) and “Consultation for NOP and SP” were assessed separately in girls, but were combined in boys because of low prevalence of “Consultations”.

Results: Almost half of the girls and one third of the boys reported NOP or SP, and 5% of girls and 2% of boys reported “Consultation for NOP or SP” during the past six months. High level of physical activity associated with increased prevalence of both “Consultation for NOP” and “Consultation for SP” in girls, but not in boys. Prolonged sitting was associated with high prevalence of NOP and SP in girls, and NOP in boys. Of various sedentary activities, TV watching and reading books associated with NOP in girls, whereas playing or working with a computer associated with NOP in boys. In girls, TV watching also associated with “Reporting SP”.

Discussion: Both prolonged sitting and high level of physical activity seem to be related to NOP and SP among adolescents.

Introduction: Both physical activity and inactivity have been suggested as risk factors for LBP, but the current evidence is conflicting. In this study we evaluated how the level of leisure time physical activity and amount of sitting are associated with LBP in a general population of adolescents.

Methods: The study population consisted of 5999 boy and girl members of the Northern Finland 1986 Birth Cohort who responded to mailed questions at the age of 15–16 years. LBP during the past six months was classified as “No LBP”, “Reporting LBP” (not seeking medical help), or “Consultation for LBP”. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals obtained by multinomial logistic regression were adjusted for smoking and BMI.

Results: Being physically very active (more than six hours of brisk physical activity per week) was associated with increased prevalence of “Consultation for LBP” in both genders, and with “Reporting LBP” in girls, compared to being moderately active (2–3 hours of brisk physical activity per week). High amount of sitting associated with “Consultation for LBP” and “Reporting LBP” in girls, but not in boys.

Discussion: Very active participation in physical activities in both genders and high amount of sitting in girls, irrespective of the level of physical activity, were associated with reported LBP. Perhaps encouraging adolescents to physically moderately active lifestyle could diminish LBP. In addition, avoiding excessive sitting-based activities such as television watching and playing video games may be recommendable among girls.

Introduction: Only few studies have investigated the role of sleep disturbances in adolescents’ musculoskeletal pains.

Methods: A two-year follow-up by postal questionnaires was made for the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 at the ages of 16 and 18 years (n=1773). The outcome measures were six-month period prevalences of self-reported neck pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP) (“Reporting Pain” and “Consultation for Pain”). Sleep disturbances were categorised into three groups (major, minor and no sleep disturbances) based on average hours spent sleeping, and whether or not the subject suffered from nightmares, tiredness and sleeping problems. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for were obtained from logistic regression and adjusted for all previously suggested risk factors.

Results: Sleep disturbances at 16 years predicted NP and LBP at the age of 18. Among the adolescents initially without LBP, major sleep disturbances at 16 predicted LBP at 18 in both girls (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 5.5) and boys (2.7; 1.1 to 6.7). Similarly, among those initially without NP, major sleep disturbances at 16 years predicted NP at 18 years in girls (3.9; 1.6 to 9.4) but not in boys.

Discussion: Sleep disturbances were an independent risk factor for LBP and NP in adolescence. Possible mechanisms may include decreased time for muscle relaxation during disturbed sleep, co-morbidity with psychological distress, or activation of inflammatory mediators. Perhaps some musculoskeletal pains could be prevented – at least partially – by ensuring that adolescents have sufficient quality and quantity of sleep.