Assessment of body posture in younger schoolchildren

Abstract

Development of science and technology, apart from its obvious advantages, carries a significant threat to development and health. Technicalization and a rapid pace of living, excess of school work and other duties, limited physical activity and bad nutrition habits cause unfavourable changes in the body posture of younger Poles. The lifestyle of the young generations, which is unfavourable to their health and fitness, has resulted in increased rate of postural disorders in this population. This study aimed at investigating the changes in body posture of children at the age of 6-7. Examinations covered 348 children at the age of 6-7 from randomly chosen public kindergartens and elementary schools in Wroclaw. The research method was based on the assessment of body posture by means of photogrammetric examination and the measurement of body mass and height. The assessment of quality of posture in saggital plane was performed according to Wolafiski's criteria modified by Zeyland-Malawka, whereas body posture in the frontal and transverse plane was assessed on the basis of the values of linear and angular asymmetry indexes according to the classification Bibrowicz. A considerable percentage of faulty postures were found in the examined children. Faulty postures in saggital plane were more frequent in the group of younger children, whereas faulty postures in frontal plane were more frequent in the group of seven-year-old children. In the group of six-year olds, faulty postures were more frequent in boys, whereas, in the group of seven-year olds - in girls. The differences in the shape and size of anterior and posterior spinal curvatures and the values of asymmetry indices were not statistically significant between the girls and boys. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR