The assessment of anteroposterior curvatures of the spine by one investigator provided good repeatability and reliability of measurements. Measurements performed by more than one investigator displayed partial repeatability. The value of the observational error should be taken into account in the interpretation of results of measurements performed with the Saunders inclinometer. The assessment of anteroposterior curvatures of the spine should be preceded by a verification of measurement reliability.

The study sought to characterize back pain (BP) (in the period of 12 months) in children and youth aged 10 to 19 from eastern Poland. The study included 11619 children and youth (6254 girls and 5365 boys) aged 10 to 19 from eastern Poland. An original questionnaire was applied as a research tool. Before the study, the reliability of the questionnaire had been assessed. The Kappa coefficient value for all the analyzed variables was equal to or higher than 0.91. Over 74.4% of the respondents admitted that within the last 12 months, they had experienced BP which was usually located in the lumbar spine (55.8%). The percentage of individuals reporting BP increased with age of participants. Girls reported BP more often than boys (82.8% vs 64.3%). The main circumstances in which BP occurred included lifting heavy objects, carrying school backpack and maintaining a sedentary position (70.7% vs 67.4% vs 67.8%). Over 67% of the respondents declared they did not know ergonomic principles. High prevalence of BP was noted. The declared BP was mainly located in the lumbar spine. Girls reported BP more often than boys. The students presented a very low level of knowledge about ergonomics. Therefore, the appropriate education should be included at school.

The aim of this study was an evaluation of the musculoskeletal system in women and men with Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH). The study included 87 participants– 40 with Generalized Joint Hypermobility (aged 21.2 ±1.8 years) and 47 (aged 21.0 ±1.3 years) in the control group (CG). The study included the Beighton score, the measurements of body composition, muscle flexibility (Straight Leg Raise test, Popliteal Angle test, Modified Thomas Test), and the measurements of muscle strength and muscle power. T-test and Mann-Whitney U Test were applied to assess the differences between independent groups. The study showed that there were no significant differences (p>.05) in the assessed body composition and the muscle flexibility between both women and men with GJH and the participants in the CG. Under isokinetic conditions for the non-dominant lower extremity, men from the CG received significantly higher (p = .02) flexion peak torque at 180°/s angular velocity. Women from the CG received a statistically significantly lower (p = .04) F/E ratio at 180°/s velocity. Under isometric conditions for both women and men with GJH, there were no statistically significant differences (p>.05) in the maximum torques in knee extension and flexion compared to the CG. For women and men with GJH, the maximum power in the lower extremities and jumping ability were not significantly different (p>.05) compared to the CG participants. The body composition, muscle flexibility, muscle strength, and muscle power of adults with Generalized Joint Hypermobility did not differ compared to healthy participants. The fact that there are no differences does not exclude the efficacy of strength training in increasing levels of muscle strength and its impact on body posture and proprioception or coordination.

Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the change of sagittal spinal curvatures in children with generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) instructed with “straighten your back” command (SYB). Methods. The study included 56 children with GJH. The control group consisted of 193 children. Sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), global thoracic kyphosis (TK), lower thoracic kyphosis (LK), and upper thoracic kyphosis (UK) were assessed with Saunders inclinometer both in spontaneous positions (standing and sitting) and after the SYB. Results. Children with GJH after SYB presented the following: in standing, increase in SS and decrease in TK, LK, and UK (P < 0.01), with LL not significantly changed; in sitting: decrease in global thoracic kyphosis (35.5° (SD 20.5) versus 21.0° (SD 15.5), P < 0.001) below the standards proposed in the literature (30–40°) and flattening of its lower part (P < 0.001). The same changes were observed in the control group. Conclusions. In children with generalized joint hypermobility, the “straighten your back” command leads to excessive reduction of the global thoracic kyphosis and flattening of its lower part. Therefore, the “straighten your back” command should not be used to achieve the optimal standing and sitting positions.

Introduction: In physiotherapeutic diagnostic processes, various tools and methods may be used. However, price and availability may limit their daily use in clinical practice. Therefore, the suggestion that smartphones with specific applications may be useful as diagnostic tools can be found in the literature. However, before using them in clinical practice, it is important to verify their reliability. The aim of the study was to evaluate the consistency of measurements of the curvatures in the sagittal plane performed with the Saunders digital inclinometer and a smartphone application. Materials and methods: The study included 40 subjects aged 22-39 years (23.0 ± 3.7). All subjects had sagittal spinal curvatures (sacral slope - SS, lumbar lordosis - L, thoracic kyphosis - K, upper thoracic kyphosis - K1, lower thoracic kyphosis - K2) measured in both standing and sitting positions with the Saunders digital inclinometer and a smartphone application. Results: In measurements performed with the use of the Saunders inclinometer and the smartphone, no significant differences were found between the size of the curvatures of the spine in a standing position (SS 19° ±8.2 vs. 17° ±8.4 p=0.3; L 32° ±11.1 vs. 29° ±10.3 p=0.2; K 43° ±8.4 vs. 41° ±8.1 p=0.2; K1 31° ±7.2 vs. 29.0° ±7.3; K2 11o ±7.4 vs. 11.0° ±6.7) and a sitting position (SS 3.75° ±8.9° p=0.8; L 5.8° ±9.06 vs. 5.2° ±8.5 p=0.75; K 40.0° ±8.1 vs. 36.7° ±7.9 p=0.6; K1 25.8° ±7.1 vs. 24.9° ±7.1; K2 14.5° ±9.9 vs. 11.5° ±9.4). Conclusions: The examination of spinal curvatures in the sagittal plane using Saunders digital inclinometer and a smartphone application allows researchers to obtain reliable results. Therefore, smartphones can be used for an objective evaluation of the musculoskeletal system in daily clinical practice.