[ relationship between posture and physical fitness in blind, deaf and normal children]

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was determination of the relationship between fitness and posture alignment in blind and deaf children

Material and Methods: Sixteen blind, 30 deaf and 60 healthy children [6-12 years] were participated in this study. Physical fitness was examined with 3 minute step test, sit ups, hand grip strength test, sit-and-reach and trunklifting. Spinal curvature was assessed with spinal mouse, and head and shoulder posture was assessed with photography. Pearson correlation test was used [alpha=0/05] for data analyzing

Results: Results of this study showed that there was relationship between the BMI and kyphosis, hand grip strength and FSP, Flexibility and uneven shoulder, flexibility and lordosis in blind children. In deaf children, there was relationship between the BMI and kyphosis, VO2 peak and scoliosis, uneven shoulder and FSP, muscle endurance and thoracic scoliosis and FHP, muscle strength and scoliosis, flexibility and uneven shoulder and FSP, trunk flexibility and kyphosis, scoliosis and FHP. In normal children, there was relationship between the hand grip strength, kyphosis, scoliosis and lordosis and between trunk flexibility lordosis and scoliosis

Conclusion: The relationship between the Physical fitness and posture in blind and deaf children necessitates the attention to both physical fitness and corrective exercises in physical education programs in schools and guiding these children toward appropriate sporting activities

Comparison of head and neck alignment in children with visual and hearing impairments and its relation with anthropometrical dimensions

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare head and neck alignment in children with visual and hearing impairments and its relation with anthropometrical parameters

Methods: The study was a descriptive, correlational analysis within which the relations between dependent and independent variables have been studied. Thirty children with poor vision, 30 children with hearing loss and finally 30 healthy ones ranged 6-12 years old were selected randomly. Anteroposterior and mediolateral photographs of the neck were obtained to check forward head and torticollis postures. Anthropometric parameters [head, neck and thorax circumference, neck, shoulder and thorax width, neck length, the distance from tragus to sternal notch and sitting-height] were measured. Statistical analysis of data was performed by 1-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient

Results: The statistical results indicated that forward head angle was less in the visually impaired group than the group with hearing loss [P = 0.001] and the healthy group [P = 0.017]. The lateral flexion angle was more in the group with hearing loss than the healthy group [P = 0.001]. There is also a positive significant correlation between head circumference [P = 0.025], neck length [P = 0.001], sternal notch-tragus distance [P = 0.003], and sitting-height [P = 0.014] with forward head posture. No significant relation was observed between other anthropometrical parameters with structural profile variable [Forward head and torticollis]

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that visual and hearing impairments can affect the head and neck alignment of children and this alignment has a significant relation with some of the anthropometrical dimensions. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to treatment exercises in order to correct and improve body posture and changed anthropometrical dimensions in children with visual and hearing impairments