Effects of carrying a backpack in an asymmetrical manner on the asymmetries of the trunk and parameters defining lateral flexion of the spine.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine changes in the body posture parameters defining asymmetry of the trunk and lateral flexion of the spine in children while carrying a backpack weighing 10% of a child's weight. BACKGROUND: Carrying a backpack may negatively affect the posture of schoolchildren and contribute to spinal pain. METHOD: The study involved 162 primary school students ages 11 to 13 years. The parameters describing body posture were assessed with a backpack carried on the right or left shoulder as well as without a load. To assess the predefined parameters, we used the CQ Elektronik System, employing the photogrammetric method. RESULTS: Trunk inclination shifted significantly in the opposite direction to the shoulder the backpack was carried on, and an increase in shoulder asymmetry was also found. We also observed a more pronounced right-side lateral flexion of the spine when the backpack was carried on the right shoulder and an analogous relationship for the left side. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that carrying a backpack in an asymmetrical manner negatively affects spine, even if the backpack weight constitutes 10% of the child's weight, which has been previously recommended as a safe load for a child's shoulders. APPLICATION: We suggest that the issue of safe backpack weight be reassessed and that students be taught basic ergonomic principles on how to carry loads. Changes to the management pattern of carrying textbooks to and from school also should be considered.

Effect of asymmetrical backpack load on spinal curvature in school children.

BACKGROUND: Carrying a backpack is common among schoolchildren. The effect of backpack load on spine pain and posture defects in children is often raised in the literature. According to scientific research, the maximum backpack load that is safe for children must not exceed 10-15% of their body mass. There is a lack of scientific reports related to the effect of frequently wearing a backpack on one shoulder among children and young adults and its influence on the shape of the anterior-posterior curvatures of spine. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate body posture parameters in the sagittal plane for an asymmetrical backpack load equal to 10% of a child's body mass. METHODS: The study was conducted using 162 primary schoolchildren aged 11-13 years. Each participant underwent three tests that examined postural parameters, including habitual posture, with the backpack on the participant's right and left shoulder. Posture was measured with the CQ Elektronik; which uses photogrammetry to make anthropometric calculations based on an image of the examined surface. RESULTS: The asymmetrical backpack load resulted in a significant reduction of thoracic kyphosis (GKP: p=0.040). The angle of thoracic kyphosis increased between the measurements. The difference (GAMMA=0.054) revealed that the results were approaching significance. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the gravity of the problem, children should be educated on ergonomics by teachers, physiotherapist or nurses, including instructions on carrying a backpack and the effects of disregarding the basic rules on body posture, as part of their school curriculum. The acceptable backpack load, which is now believed to be 10% of the child's body mass, should be carefully considered by scientists. Our own results show that even a load of 10% of the body mass may induce negative changes in spinal posture.

Effects of the sitting position on the body posture of children aged 11 to 13 years.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, children spend increasingly more time in a seated position, both at school during class and at home in front of a computer or television. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare selected parameters describing body posture and scoliosis among children in sitting and standing positions. METHODS: It was an observational, cross-sectional study involving 91 primary school children aged 11-13 years. The children's backs were photographed in standing and sitting positions. The values of selected parameters were calculated using photogrammetric examination based on the Moire projection phenomenon. RESULTS: The results show significant statistical differences for the parameters defining the anteroposterior curves of the spine. The sitting position resulted in a decreased angle of inclination of the thoracolumbar spine, reduced depths of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, and pelvic asymmetry. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining a sitting position for a long time results in advanced asymmetries of the trunk and scoliosis, and causes a decrease in lumbar lordosis and kyphosis of a child's entire spine. Therefore, we advocate the introduction of posture education programs for schoolchildren.

Changes in the body posture of women occurring with age.

BACKGROUND: A current topic in the field of geriatrics still needing a great deal of study is the changes in body posture occurring with age. Symptoms of these changes can be observed starting between the ages of 40-50 years with a slow progression that increases after 60 years of age. The aims of this study were to evaluate parameters characterizing the posture of women over the age of 60 years compared with a control group and to determine the dynamics of body posture changes in the following decades. METHODS: The study included 260 randomly selected women. The study group consisted of 130 women between the ages of 60-90 years (Older Women). The control group (Younger Women) consisted of 130 women between the ages of 20-25 years (posture stabilization period). The photogrammetric method was used to evaluate body posture using the phenomenon of the projection chamber. The study was conducted according to generally accepted principles. RESULTS: In the analysis of parameters characterizing individual slope curves, results were varied among different age groups. The lumbar spine slope did not show significant differences between different age groups (p = 0.6952), while statistically significant differences (p = 0.0000) were found in the thoracic-lumbar spine slope (p = 0.0033) and upper thoracic spine slope. Body angle was shown to increase with age (p = 0.0000). Thoracic kyphosis depth significantly deepened with age (p = 0.0002), however, the thoracic kyphosis angle decreased with age (p = 0.0000). An increase in asymmetries was noticed, provided by a significantly higher angle of the shoulder line (p = 0.0199) and the difference in height of the lower shoulder blade angle (p = 0.0007) measurements in the group of older women. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the parameters describing body posture throughout consecutive decades were observed. Therapy for women over the age of 60 years should involve strengthening of the erector spinae muscles and controlling body posture with the aim of reducing trunk inclination and deepening of thoracic kyphosis. Moreover, exercises shaping lumbar lordosis should be performed to prevent its flattening.

Effects of carrying a backpack in a symmetrical manner on the shape of the feet.

The aim of this study was to assess changes in the shape of the feet while carrying a backpack constituting 10% of a child's weight. It was an observational, cross-sectional study involving 118 primary school children aged 11-13 years. Selected parameters of foot shape were assessed in both a normal position and with a backpack using podoscopy and a CQ-ST examination device. The study revealed significant differences in the length and width of the right and left feet between assessments. Moreover, the longitudinal arch of the foot was significantly lowered and deformity of the great toe was reported. Carrying a backpack constituting 10% of a child's weight results in lowering of the longitudinal and traverse arches of the feet and advanced toe deformities. PRACTITIONER SUMMARY: We performed an observational, cross-sectional study examining the effect of carrying a backpack constituting 10% of a child's weight on parameters of foot shape and observed significant lowering of the longitudinal and traverse arches of the feet and advanced toe deformities.

Changes in body posture of women and men over 60 years of age.

BACKGROUND: With age, the body posture undergoes involutional changes. It is not possible to determine accurately the beginning of these changes. They begin between 40 and 50 years of age, and their slow progress increases after 60 years of age. The aim of this study was to assess the body posture of women and men over 60 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seventy people over 60 years old (35 women and 35 men) participated in the study. The control group consisted of 70 people (35 women and 35 men) between the age of 20 and 25. To evaluate the body posture non-invasive photogrammetric method based on the Moiré phenomenon has been used. The study was performed according to generally accepted principles. RESULTS: Body posture of women and men over 60 years of age differs significantly in most of the parameters from body posture of women and men in the control group. These differences are confirmed when divided into groups based on gender. Comparing the parameters that characterize the posture of women and men over 60 years of age, a significant difference is only for parameter KLL, and body posture of men is characterized by the higher angle of lumbar lordosis (p = 0.0022). CONCLUSIONS: 1. There are significant changes in body posture of women and men over 60 years of age both in the frontal and sagittal plane. 2. Men over 60 years of age have a significantly greater angle of lumbar lordosis. 3. The results of these studies should be used for the construction of a plan of exercises for the elderly taking into account all the changes that occur with age.