Incidence of Primary Exercise Headache in Resistance Trained Athletes

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence and patterns of primary exercise headache (PEH) in resistance trained male athletes. PEH is observed particularly during or after severe physical exercise and lasts up to 48 hours. While the focus of the literature has mainly been on the prevalence of PEH in the general population, few studies on athlete populations have been conducted so far. Therefore in a cohort study we examined the incidence and patterns of PEH in resistance trained athletes in an Iranian male sample.
A population of 116 resistance trained athletes, between 14 to 63 years old, was recruited. PEH was identified in the athletes according to a questionnaire based on the 3rd international classification of headache disorders. The athletes were followed up for six months on a monthly basis while the incidence, pattern and risk factors of PEH were evaluated in them in a precise manner.
The incidence of PEH in overall participants was evaluated 4.8 in 1000 hours exercise. The prevalence of headache during the follow-ups was 19.8% in which the highest headache incidence occurred in 20-30 years old athletes. PEH mainly occurred after sports and the quality of PEH was mainly a sudden (81%) pulsating (47%) headache which was felt mostly in the occipital region (39%). The incidence of PEH had a strong statistical correlation with having a history of PEH (odds: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.02 - 14.3).
Our study showed that incidence and prevalence of PEH in resistance trained athletes might be higher than general population. History of PEH was the main risk factor for developing PEH in resistance trained athletes.