Postural development in school children: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundLittle information on quantitative sagittal plane postural alignment and evolution in children exists. The objectives of this study are to document the evolution of upright, static, sagittal posture in children and to identify possible critical phases of postural evolution (maturation).MethodsA total of 1084 children (aged 4–12 years) received a sagittal postural evaluation with the Biotonix postural analysis system. Data were retrieved from the Biotonix internet database. Children were stratified and analyzed by years of age with n = 36 in the youngest age group (4 years) and n = 184 in the oldest age group (12 years). Children were analyzed in the neutral upright posture. Variables measured were sagittal translation distances in millimeters of: the knee relative to the tarsal joint, pelvis relative to the tarsal joint, shoulder relative to the tarsal joint, and head relative to the tarsal joint. A two-way factorial ANOVA was used to test for age and gender effects on posture, while polynomial trend analyses were used to test for increased postural displacements with years of age.ResultsTwo-way ANOVA yielded a significant main effect of age for all 4 sagittal postural variables and gender for all variables except head translation. No age × gender interaction was found. Polynomial trend analyses showed a significant linear association between child age and all four postural variables: anterior head translation (p < 0.001), anterior shoulder translation (p < 0.001), anterior pelvic translation (p < 0.001), anterior knee translation (p < 0.001). Between the ages of 11 and 12 years, for anterior knee translation, T-test post hoc analysis revealed only one significant rough break in the continuity of the age related trend.ConclusionA significant linear trend for increasing sagittal plane postural translations of the head, thorax, pelvis, and knee was found as children age from 4 years to 12 years. These postural translations provide preliminary normative data for the alignment of a child's sagittal plane posture.

Spinal curvatures of children and adolescents – a cross-sectional study

“…However, the authors did not specify the angles of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, so direct comparison of the angles is impossible. Lafond et al in their study of posture in the sagittal plane in a large population of children and adolescents aged 4-12 observed a significant main effect of age and gender [9]. Cil et al revealed a significant difference among different age groups for thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles.…”

“…There were 331 girls and 286 boys ages [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. All the examined students and their parents/guardians were informed of the procedures and voluntarily signed consent prior to measurements.…”

“…Adolescence predisposes one to deteriorating posture, which is marked by carelessness and slenderness. Previous studies showed that anteroposterior spinal curvatures change as the child grows [1,9,12]. The postural evolution during childhood is characterized by an increase in forward translation displacements of the head, shoulders, pelvis and knees in the sagittal plane [9].…”

“…Previous studies showed that anteroposterior spinal curvatures change as the child grows [1,9,12]. The postural evolution during childhood is characterized by an increase in forward translation displacements of the head, shoulders, pelvis and knees in the sagittal plane [9]. The pre-adolescent phase and adolescence are periods of life with rapid changes in height and weight, and as a result of adaption to new proportions, posture also changes.…”

Spinal Postural Alignment Variance According to Sex and Age in 7- and 8-Year-Old Children

“…Using the adult standard for body alignment would mischaracterize the greater mobility, flexibility, and the temporary deviations in alignment that occur in children during development 1 as abnormalities. According to Lafond et al, 9 upright posture measurements of children and adolescents might be a useful clinical tool to identify musculoskeletal conditions at early stages during the developmental process and aid prevention.…”