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

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 < .001). An increased risk of migraine was found in females, and a protective effect of sport on the risk of migraine among females, but not among males.

Conclusions: The role of exercise in migraine is still unclear. This study supports a protective role of sport in migraine reporting a protective effect in females. Further studies are needed to deepen the association between sport and migraine.