A Visual Scan Analysis Protocol for Postural Assessment at School in Young Students

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the X-ray diagnosis with a non-invasive method for spine alignment assessment adopting a visual scan analysis with a plumb line and simetograph in middle-school students. The sample of this study was composed of 31 males and 50 females with an average age of 14.23 (± 3.11) years. The visual scan analysis was assessed at a school; whereas, the X-ray was performed in a hospital. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess the differences between methods and scoliosis classifications (non-accentuated <10º and scoliosis >10º), and the Kappa was used to assess the agreement between methods. The comparisons between the methods revealed non-significant differences (z = −0.577; p = 0.564), with almost perfect agreement between tests (K = 0.821; p < 0.001). Moreover, no statistical significance was observed between methods by the scoliosis classification (z = −1.000; p = 0.317), with almost perfect agreement between tests (K = 0.888; p < 0.001). This research supports the conclusion that there are no significant differences between the two methods. Therefore, it should be highlighted that this field test should be used by physical education teachers in their classes, or in a school context, in order to determine misalignments or scoliosis prevalence among middle-school students. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 9 revealed an almost perfect agreement (K = 1.00, p < 0.001; please report to the statistical analysis 122 section) for both the alignment versus misalignment, and for the scoliosis degree visualization. 123 124 Figure 2. Left panel depicts the distance between evaluator and the instrument. The column's left 125 asymmetries are presented on the above right panel (equivalent for right misalignment) and bilateral 126 misalignment, at right below panel.127 2.3. X-ray method (clinical test) 128 After the visual scan assessment, the students were forwarded to a hospital for X-ray 129 analysis. They were evaluated by a spine surgeon in a standing position for long radiographies, 130 in the exact same position aforementioned, with the wood base for the foot position (Figure 3). 131 A specialist medical doctor carried out blind evaluations with column radiographies with a 132 Philips X-ray machine (Philips, System Medical -CYT9890, 010/87431 SN 14001512, 133 Amsterdam). The evaluation permitted the assessment of neck, shoulders, scapulae, thoracic, 134 and pelvic asymmetries.135 136 Figure 3. Philips X-ray machine with the wood base for the foot position.127 2.3. X-ray method (clinical test) 128 After the visual scan assessment, the students were forwarded to a hospital for X-ray 129 analysis. They were evaluated by a spine surgeon in a standing position for long radiographies, 130 in the exact same position aforementioned, with the wood base for the foot position (Figure 3). 131 A specialist medical doctor carried out blind evaluations with column radiographies with a 132 Philips X-ray machine (Philips, System Medical -CYT9890, 010/87431 SN 1400...

Study of postural misalignments between sex, school cycle and physical activity

“…The postural changes in the musculoskeletal system may lead to degenerative pathologies and if not earlier detected and corrected, may physically limit the individuals (Minghelli, 2008). In both sexes, postural misalignments are present at all school ages (Ferronatto et al, 1998;Santos et al, 2009;Klusener et al, 2014;Alves et al, 2020), with a higher prevalence of forward head posture, protracted shoulders and scoliosis (Pinto and Lópes, 2001;Minghelli et al, 2009;Peliteiro et al, 2010;Noll et al, 2012). Females are more prone to dorsal hyperkyphosis (Verderi, 2003;Braz et al, 2007;Moreira et al, 2013), scoliosis (Braz et al, 2007;Minghelli, 2008;Noll et al, 2012), lumbar hyperlordosis and pelvic anteversion (Minghelli et al, 2009;Peliteiro et al, 2010).…”

“…Moreover, children spent the most part of the time in school and the bone structures development period might be affected by postural behaviour at school and PA (Ferronatto et al, 1998;Braccialli and Vilarta, 2000;Pinto and Lópes, 2001;Minghelli et al, 2009;Alves et al, 2020). The students have long daily inactivity periods in the classroom, without the necessary ergonomic adaptation of school environment and with the adoption of incorrect and vicious postures of their body segments (Verderi, 2003;Tobar, 2004;Santos et al, 2009;Lafeta et al, 2013;Alves et al, 2020). The weight carried in the schoolbag is often excessive (Barbosa et al, 2019) and its transportation is also mostly done asymmetrically (Sedrez et al, 2014).…”

“…Thus, PE teachers assume an important role in public health, collaborating with health professionals. Moreover, PE teachers may develop exercise programs based on student`s postural misalignments (Alves et al, 2020). Postural assessment is also important in all cycles due to the transformations inherent to the growth processes (Klusener et al, 2014).…”

Effectiveness of mat Pilates on postural alignment in the sagittal plane in school children: a randomized clinical trial

“…Posture typically refers to the alignment of body segments at a specific time. Incorrect posture refers to an abnormal body state in which the body cannot maintain a stable state and the normal function of tissues and organs are compromised 1,2 . Postural control requires an integration of sensory information with the musculoskeletal system.…”

Sports biomechanics: monitoring health and performance

“…Typically, biomechanical analyses are made by: observational and qualitative methods, based on visual analysis [18]; video and photogrammetry analysis, in which kinematic variables (time, velocity, position, distance) are assessed [9,19]; experimental tests, in which different instruments, such as force plate, ergojump, speedometer, encoder, force sensors, radars, wind tunnels, inertial devices, and other tools, allow gathering information about kinetic and kinematic variables; and analytical procedures, which are a set of equations that typically permit to compute or estimate kinetics, kinematics, and performance [1,[20][21][22][23]. However, it is necessary to compare these different methods and to provide information about validity, accuracy, and reliability.…”