1. Introduction
One of the most important indicators of general health is having a suitable body structure and, in other words, a proper physical condition [1]. Good physical condition is considered a measure of musculoskeletal health and protects the body against injury or deformity by creating musculoskeletal balance. Better muscle function reduces stress on the body and reduces energy expenditure to maintain it [2].
The unfavorable physical condition can change the amount of pressure distribution on the joints and apply abnormal pressure, leading to articular cartilage destruction and severe postural abnormalities. Deviation from the desired posture is unpleasant in appearance, harms muscle function, and predisposes to musculoskeletal disorders and neurological disorders [3].
Today, due to the advent of technology, changes in people’s lifestyles, inactivity and being in inappropriate physical positions in the workplace and home, and excessive use of devices such as mobile phones has led to the weakening of the suitable body structure and the development of musculoskeletal abnormalities such as a lumbar, hump or round back, head forward and other abnormalities [13, 14].
Recently, the national plan for measuring and examining the body structure of rural girls and women in Iran has been established. In different parts of the country, the erectile abnormalities of rural women have been studied. Due to the importance of this issue, the purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper and lower limbs in rural women in Qazvin province.
2. Materials and Methods
This study was a descriptive-comparative study based on time, present, and how to collect information in a field and observational manner. The statistical population included rural women in Qazvin province with an age range of 15-65 years (Mean±SD age 41.88±15.70) that 3023 people from 35 villages of Qazvin Province were selected with informed consent on inclusion and exclusion criteria.
The subjects were selected by snowball sampling method and participated in the study voluntarily and were divided into four groups with different age ranges, including the first group (age range 15-20), the second group (age range 21-35), the third group (age range 36-50), and the fourth group (age range 51-65). Before starting the evaluation process, demographic information such as age, weight, height, and body mass index were examined.
Then, the process of performing the study of musculoskeletal disorders was fully and transparently taught practically. The subjects were explained that this research was not dangerous in terms of evaluation methods, and they were able to leave the study for any reason at any stage of the study. Measurement variables in the upper limb include normal head position, head forward, head backward, neck tilt, normal shoulder position, uneven shoulder, round shoulder, shoulder dropped and shoulder raised, normal back position, lordosis, kyphosis, flat back, scoliosis were evaluated.
Measurements in the lower extremities included normal pelvic position, forward pelvic rotation, backward pelvic rotation, normal knee position, braced knee, crossed knee, retracted knee, normal toe position, crooked thumb, normal foot position, flat position foot, hollow foot. Research tools included an informed consent form, musculoskeletal abnormality registration form, caliper, vertical line, checkerboard, and New York test. Descriptive statistics were used to show the prevalence of anomalies, and the Kruskal-Wallis test in SPSS software v. 24 was used to compare groups.
3. Results
In this study, 3023 rural women with Mean±SD of age 41.88±15.70 years, Mean±SD of weight 67.63±13.50 kg, Mean±SD of height 162.34±13.66 cm, and body mass index Mean±SD of BMI 27.51±5.50, among 35 villages of Qazvin Province were surveyed.
The age range was used to divide the groups. It was divided into four parts, the first group (age range 15-20), the second group (age range 21-35), the third group (age range 36-50), and the fourth group (age range 51-65). The results of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test showed the distribution of data on upper and lower limb abnormalities was abnormal (P<0.05). Due to the abnormality of data distribution, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for intergroup comparison.
Kruskal-Wallis test showed that in the variables head forward (P=0.001), neck tilt (P=0.001), shoulder forward (P=0.008), unequal shoulder (P=0.001), kyphosis (p =0.001)), lordosis (P=0.001), flat back (P=0.003), scoliosis (P=0.001), anterior pelvic rotation (P=0.001), braced knee (P=0.001), crossed knee (P=0.001), retracted knee (P=0.001), flat foot (P=0.008), hollow foot (P=0.004), and crooked thumb (P=0.001) there was a significant difference between the research groups.
Also, the highest prevalence of upper limb abnormalities was related to unequal shoulders, head forward, and lordosis. The highest prevalence of lower limb abnormalities was related to anterior pelvic rotation, crossed knee, and flat foot. Examining the frequency of prevalence of upper and lower limb abnormalities, the highest prevalence of abnormalities was in the age range of the third and fourth groups.
4. Conclusion
The results showed a high prevalence of upper and lower limb abnormalities in rural women in Qazvin province. Rural women and girls face the difficulties and problems of daily work and suffer from various skeletal and spinal abnormalities with age. Therefore, immediate action and planning are necessary to prevent and control this issue.
Regarding the research results, it should be said that unfavorable physical condition does not necessarily indicate disease. Still, changing the physical appearance and creating certain psychological effects can cause various complications in other parts of the body. Thus, in line with the chain reaction in the body, it should be noted that the abnormalities observed in rural women were likely to be related to both the lower and upper limbs, and paying attention to medical issues and lifestyle changes is essential for this segment society.
It seems that regular exercise programs and corrective movements, strengthening the muscles of the upper and lower limbs and especially the muscles that support the spine, turn to an active lifestyle, and creating space and sports facilities are necessary to increase the physical activity of rural women to reduce postural abnormalities and improve the body structure of this segment of society.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
All ethical principles are considered in this article. The participants were informed about the purpose of the research and its implementation stages. They were also assured about the confidentiality of their information and were free to leave the study whenever they wished, and if desired, the research results would be available to them.
Funding
The date of this research was extracted from the national plan for measuring the stature of rural girls and women of the Ministry of Sports (Code: ص/99/412/9241). This research has been financially supported by the Ministry and the Sports and Youth Organization of Qazvin Province.
Authors' contributions
All authors equally contributed to preparing this article.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgements
The authors sincerely thank all the executives of this national project and the people who helped us to review and evaluate this research, as well as all the rural families who participated in the research.

 

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