Probl Hig Epidemiol 2009, 90(3): 342-346pl

Abnormalities of posture in 6-12 year-old children - pupils of primary schools from Radom - a pilot study

Renata Janiszewska, Stanisław Tuzinek, Stanisław Nowak, Anna Ratyńska, Tomasz Biniaszewski

Pracownia Badania Postawy Ciała, Katedra Wychowania Fizycznego i Zdrowotnego, Wydział Nauczycielski Politechniki Radomskiej

Summary
Introduction. Lifestyle and the environmental factors considerably contribute to the occurrence of body posture defects in children and youth, and the reports of many authors have indicated that abnormalities of posture among primary school pupils are a widely spread phenomenon. The research of body posture will permit to estimate the range of the problem and to introduce appropriate preventive and medical procedures.
Aim. The assessment of body posture of children and youth.
Material and methods. Primary school pupils. Age: 6-12 years. Period of research: April-May, 2008. The research applied two methods: of visual assessment and the Moiré projection method.
Results. The irregularities of body posture were observed in 93.2% of the studied children, including: feet defects in 78.4%, chest and lumbar scolioses in 73.9%, protruding scapulae in 59.5%, scoliotic postures in 9.8%.
Conclusion. The defects of body posture are a big problem among children and youth. Is is necessary to provide monitoring of health status, as well as to improve the preventive system for pupils.

Key words:  body posture, defects of posture, pupils, primary school