The impact of physical activity in the "Keep your body straight" program on the selected features of body posture in sagittal plane in children aged 7-9 years

Abstract

Increasing attention is being paid to health and healthcare of pupils in Polish schools. The aim of the study was determining the impact of physical activity in the correction ‘Keep your body straight’ program on incorrect body postures in children aged 7-9 years. The study included 1864 children. The children participated in corrective activities within the ‘Keep your body straight’ program. Methodology of carrying out the analysis involved the measurement of physiological spinal curvatures and torso verticality in the habitual posture using a photogrammetric method in six half-year editions under the 3-year research program. Gender-based differences are statistically insignificant as regards: the inclination angle of the thoracic-lumbar spine (Beta) and the upper thoracic spine (Gamma), depth of lumbar lordosis (GLL-), depth of thoracic kyphosis (GKP), thoracic kyphosis length (DKP), height (RKP) and angle (KKP), lumbar lordosis length (DLL), height (RLL) and angle (KLL), torso flexion angle (KPT-). Statistically significant differences concerned: the inclination angle of the lumbar-sacral spine (Alfa), the sum of partial angles Delta (Alfa, Beta, Gamma) and torso extension angle (KPT). Conclusions: 1. Corrective activities in the ‘Keep your body straight’ program combined with education of parents are effective means in the correction process of body postures concerning physiological spinal curvatures in children aged 7-9 years. 2. Physical activity applied within the program significantly influenced all the features describing lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and trunk verticality. 3. The effectiveness of the program can be enhanced by an individual approach to every ‘incorrect’ posture in a child, which could not be achieved due to insufficient school funds.