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

Abstract

SummaryStudy aim: The aim was to assess the spinal curvatures of primary and lower secondary male and female students from Silesia and to identify individual variations that can determine spinal posture. Material and methods:The study involved 331 girls and 286 boys aged 8 to 16 years. Eligible criteria were non-participation in any professional sport training, and participation in mandatory physical education classes. Posture was evaluated using the moiré method. Measurements of somatic parameters were made with a medical scale using a height meter and a Tanita electronic balance. Results: Dimorphic postural differences of boys and girls were seen mainly in the shape of lumbar lordosis. Girls were more lordotic than boys at all ages except 10-years-olds. Angle γ was significantly greater in 9-, 15-and 16-year-old girls than boys. LLA was significantly more prominent in 15-and 16-year-old girls than boys. Thoracic kyphosis was significantly more prominent in 8-and 11-year-old boys than girls. We also found a significant effect of age and somatic parameters. In boys mean lumbar lordosis was more pronounced in 10-year-olds. In girls fat mass, fat percentage and BMI correlated with angle α and angle Δ. In boys body height and mass, fat mass, total body water and BMI correlated with angles β, γ, Δ, and lordosis lumbar angle. Conclusions: The shape of lumbar lordosis is associated with age and gender. Lumbar lordosis decreases with age in male children and adolescents. Our study revealed poor correlations between sagittal spinal curvatures and somatic parameters.

Screening and Early Identification of Spinal Deformities and Posture in 311 Children: Results from 16 Districts in Slovakia

“…Based on the literature where kyphosis and hyperkyphosis are described as the most common deformity of the spine in childhood [16–18] and that thoracic kyphosis is dominant at the age of 6-7 [23], we predicted that the most critical part of the spine most affected by the deformities will be the thoracic spine. This assumption has not been confirmed.…”

Evaluation of Anterior-Posterior Spine Curvatures and Incidence of Sagittal Defects in Children and Adolescents Practicing Traditional Karate

“…The authors state that girls were characterized by greater lordosis than boys in all ages, except for 10-year-olds. In turn, thoracic kyphosis was significantly higher at the age of 8 and 11 years in boys compared to girls [1]. Also Lichota conducted the study related to the subject, assessing changes in the range of anterior-posterior spinal curvature in children aged 6-7 years.…”

“…It is influenced by various factors that can be divided into morphological, psychological, and environmental ones. Daily habits, lifestyle, as well as the nature of physical activity, including various sports fields are also important [1–3]. Athlete's body posture analysis is the subject of numerous studies [4–9].…”

Back Pain Related with Age, Anthropometric Variables, Sagittal Spinal Curvatures, Hamstring Extensibility, Physical Activity and Health Related Quality of Life in Male and Female High School Students

“…This multifactorial focus is essential in adolescence because most of the biomechanical and physiological parameters rapidly change during this period of growth as a consequence of the effects of sexual dimorphism on the body structure, morphology and physiology [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Furthermore, some changes are also found in their habits.…”