Migraine and Sport in a Physically Active Population of Students: Results of a Cross‐Sectional Study

• Published in: Headache 2020-11, Vol.60 (10), p.2330-2339
• Main Authors: Pilati, Laura, Battaglia, Giuseppe, Di Stefano, Vincenzo, Di Marco, Salvatore, Torrente, Angelo, Raieli, Vincenzo, Firenze, Alberto, Salemi, Giuseppe, Brighina, Filippo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Colleges & universities; Cross-sectional studies; Exercise; Females; gender medicine; Headache; ID‐migraine; Migraine; Physical activity; physical exercise; Regression analysis; Risk analysis; sport; Statistical analysis; Students
• ISSN: 0017-8748; 1526-4610
• DOI: 10.1111/head.14015

Objective In this study, we explored the relationship between migraine and sport in a physically active population of students, analyzing the risk of migraine among sporty students. Background The relationship between sport and migraine is controversial; moreover, several studies report on sport as a migraine trigger, but there is evidence that physical activity could have a relevant role in migraine prevention. Methods A cross‐sectional survey was conducted using the validated ID‐migraine questionnaire including specific demo‐anthropometric (gender, age, weight, height) and sports variables on a potentially active student population of the University of Palermo. Evaluation in putative migraine subjects of clinical features and disability was explored through the administration of the Italian version of the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using univariate and logistic regression analyses. Results Three hundred and ninety‐three out of 520 students (210 F, mean age: 23.5 ± 0.7 years; 183 M; mean age: 20.5 ± 0.7 years) participated in this study. Migraine screened positive in 102 subjects (26.0%) and its prevalence was significantly higher among females (P