Postural disorders and muscle power in primary school children

Abstract

The aim of the research was to contribute to better understanding of the correlation between postural disorders and muscle power in primary school children. The sample of respondents consisted of 1,120 children, aged 7 to 12 years (549 boys and 571 girls) from the territory of the municipality of Knjaževac. In the assessment of the spinal column status, the device "Spinal Mouse" (Switzerland) was used, while in the analysis of the status of the feet, the podoscope "Pedic" (Hungary) was used. A handheld dynamometer "Lafayette" (USA) and tensiometric force platform "Vernier Force Plate" (USA) were used in the analysis of muscle power. Spinal column and feet status were measured in the static condition, with children being in the upright standing position. Muscle power status was measured in both static (a clinician was applying muscle force to the dominant upper extremity of a child trying to overcome or "break" the child's muscle resistance) and dynamic conditions (Counter Movement Jump). Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used in data processing by the means of the SPSS software version 24. Results revealed poor postural and muscle power status, and correlations suggesting to possible kinetic chain reaction causing the disruption of the normal postural status in primary school children. Determined postural disorders are characterized by the early functional stage that can be reduced by appropriate corrective exercise programme application and augmented level of proper physical activity. Those programmes and activities are being guided and implemented by physicians and PE teachers in the municipality of Knjaževac.

The Association of Sagittal Spinal Posture among Elementary School Pupils with Sex and Grade

“…Previous studies have consistently shown a high prevalence of sagittal plane outliers in this age group, and the current study indicates a trend of increasing percentages of postural outliers compared to prior research [25]. When comparing results from various studies [8,26], it is evident that the ages between 10 and 15 represent a period of intense change in sagittal spinal posture among participants, as corroborated by the findings in this study.…”

“…The second most prevalent outlier is kypholordosis, which is significantly more prevalent among the female participants. Among younger elementary school children, there was a significantly lower prevalence of this postural outlier [8,27] while, among participants who are older than those in the analyzed sample, this postural outlier is also significantly prevalent compared to the remaining sagittal plane outliers of the spine [26]. The results can be accounted for by the biological development primarily of the female participants, who have a more inclined pelvis, but it is also reflected in the transformation of both the internal and external features of femininity in the thoracic region, which are characteristic of this phase of biological development.…”

Changes in body posture parameters: a four-year follow-up study

“…Abnormal changes in body posture occur in children in two difficult periods when body posture develops. The first difficult period, which is discussed in this report, affects children aged 6-7 years (Bubanj et al, 2012;Gavela-Pérez et al, 2015). This age is characterized by dynamic and rapid changes in growth.…”