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

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize and compare postural behaviour between gender, school cycles and PA levels in 213 students, aged between 10 and 20 years, from Escola Básica e Secundária de Santa Maria. Postural assessment was made through visual scan analysis in a symmetrograph and the Adams test. PA level assessment was made using the IPAQ. Postural behaviour presented high percentages of imbalances in both sexes, with the highest prevalence in the head lateral flexion, shoulders level asymmetry, scoliosis, gibbosity, forward head and protracted shoulders. Lumbar scoliosis was significantly related to pelvic asymmetry (p < .001), protracted shoulders were related to forward head (p = .010) and dorsal hyperkyphosis (p = .048) and lumbar hyperlordosis was more prevalent in subjects with pelvic anteversion (p < .001). Dorsal hyperkyphosis manifested in males with a markedly higher prevalence than females (p = .006). Postural imbalances were present at all ages, with pelvic anteversion decrease (p = .028) with school cycles progression. Our sample proved to be physically active with 73.9% categorized with high and moderate levels of PA. Higher PA levels where related to forward head lower percentages (p = .006). It should be highlighted the importance of postural assessment school students.

Postural misalignments in school students: comparisons between gender, school cycles and body composition

“…These ndings may be possibly related with their collaboration in tasks inherent to the rural environment. Although not being statistically signi cant, boys revealed higher percentages of misalignments compared to girls in both assessment plans [10].…”

“…Between gender, and in right lateral view of the sagittal plane, shoulder protrusion and dorsal hyperkyphosis were signi cantly more pronounced in boys, as well as positive Adams test [8,10], despite this nding being contrary to most of the consulted literature that advocates a higher prevalence of female scoliotic and hyperkyphotic postures [5,15,24]. These ndings may be possibly related with their collaboration in tasks inherent to the rural environment.…”

“…That being so, periodically assessing the student's posture in physical education (PE) classes could be the best way for postural misalignments early detection. Posteriorly, it becomes extremely important that PE classes provide exercises and activities that not only consider these pathologies, but also contribute to their correction and normalization in a timely manner [9,10]. It's also known that ergonomic knowledge and proper postural alignment in adolescent's can be improved with school educational posture programs [11,12,31].…”

“…If not earlier identi ed and adjusted, this musculoskeletal system postural changes can lead to degenerative pathologies and orthopedic problems in adulthood [5]. Nowadays, it is commonly accepted that the prevalence of postural misalignments in children and young people is markedly increasing and present at all school ages [6][7][8][9][10][11][12], observing the highest prevalence in forward head posture, protracted shoulders and scoliosis [3,[13][14][15].…”

Study of the Association between Postural Misalignments in School Students

“…Musculoskeletal system postural changes may lead to degenerative pathologies and, if not earlier identified and adjusted, may physically limit the individuals [5]. There is Symmetry 2021, 13,1959 2 of 8 numerous evidence that postural misalignments are present at all school ages [6][7][8][9][10][11][12], with a higher prevalence of forward head posture, protracted shoulders and scoliosis [3,[13][14][15].…”