Original scientific paper

Martin Hristov , Vujica Živković , Lence Aleksovska Velickovska 

https://doi.org/10.46733/PESH2514181h

Abstract

Modern lifestyle habits, including increasingly prevalent physical inactivity among children, contribute to the development of postural disorders and muscular imbalances, which may negatively affect motor performaAlence. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities between children with normal and deviated postural alignment in the sagittal plane (kyphotic and lordotic posture), with emphasis on the strength of the paravertebral muscles and upper limbs. The study included 34 children aged 7 to 14 years, divided into two groups: children with normal posture (N=16) and those with postural deviations (N=18). Postural status was assessed using the Spinal Mouse system, while muscular strength and endurance were evaluated using handgrip dynamometry and motor tests including the frontal and lateral plank, as well as the Biering-Sørensen test for lumbar endurance. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Results indicated that, although no statistically significant differences were found in any of the variables, children with normal posture demonstrated higher values across all motor tests. These findings suggest a potential link between proper postural alignment and greater muscular strength and endurance. The results align with previous research emphasizing the importance of trunk muscle strength for stable postural control. The conclusion highlights the need for early diagnosis and corrective interventions in children with postural deviations, especially during the period of most intensive growth—adolescence.

Key words: posture, muscle strength, motor abilities, postural status, anthropometric characteristics

_______________________

References

Bala, G. (1990). Logičke osnove metoda za analizu podataka iz istraživanja u fizičkoj kulturi. G. Bala.

Bouchard, C. (1994). Physical activity, fitness, and health: the model and key concepts. Physical activity, fitness, and health, 77-88.

Bubanj, S., Živković, M., Živković, D., Milenković, S., Bubanj, R., Stanković, R., Ćirić-Mladenović, I., Stefanović, N., Purenović, T., Stojiljković, D., Obradović, B., Dimić, A., Cvetković, T. (2012).The incidence of sagittal postural deformities among high school students: preliminary study.Acta Kinesiologica, 6 (2), 27-30.

Bubanj, S., Đorđević, S., Milenković, S., Stanković, R., Vidojević, M., & Đokić, M. (2021). Postural disorders and muscle power in primary school children. Acta Fac. Medicae Naissensis, 38, 270-278.

Brusa, J., Maggio, M. C., Giustino, V., Thomas, E., Zangla, D., Iovane, A., … & Bellafiore, M. (2020). Upper and lower limb strength and body posture in children with congenital hypothyroidism: An observational case-control study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(13), 4830.

Frankenfield, D. C., Rowe, W. A., Cooney, R. N., Smith, J. S., & Becker, D. (2001). Limits of body mass index to detect obesity and predict body composition. Nutrition, 17(1), 26-30.

Grissafi, D. (2007). Posture and core conditioning. Personal Fitness Development Edition, Amerika, 1-26. Johanson, J. C. (2012). Postural Assessment: Hands-On Guides for Therapists. United States: Human Kinetics.

Mannion, A.F., Knecht, K., Balaban, G., Dvorak, J., & Grob, D. (2004). A new skin-surface device for measuring the curvature and global and segmental ranges of motion of the spine: reliability of measurements and comparison with data reviewed from the literature. European Spine Journal, 13(2), 122-136.

Norton, K. I. (2018). Standards for anthropometry assessment. In Kinanthropometry and exercise physiology (pp. 68-137). Routledge.

Ortega, F. B., Ruiz, J. R., Castillo, M. J., & Sjöström, M. (2008). Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence: a powerful marker of health. International journal of obesity, 32(1), 1-11.

Rivera, C. E. (2016). Core and lumbopelvic stabilization in runners. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics, 27(1), 319-337. Willett, W., & Hu, F. (1998). Anthropometric measures and body composition. Nutritional epidemiology, 2, 244-272.

World Medical Association (2011). Handbook of WMA policies. Нађенo 15. 11. 2012