Justyna Rykała

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.

The influence of elongation exercises on the anterior-posterior spine curvatures.

Summary Introduction: Elongation exercises are designed to reduce existing pathological or increased physiological curvatures of the spine. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes occurring in the parameters describing the anterior-posterior spinal curvatures during the performance of symmetric elongation exercises. Material and methods: The study included 150 children aged 7-10 years: 82 girls and 68 boys. It was performed in June 2012, following prior parental and the subjects’ consent. The study design was approved by the Bioethical Committee of the Medical Faculty of Rzeszow University (number 05/07/2012). In each subject, an examination of the body posture was performed twice - first in a relaxed position and second during an elongation exercise. The Wilcoxon pair sequence test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The lumbosacral angle was significantly higher during the performance of an elongation exercise (p < 0.001), and so was the thoracolumbar angle (p < 0.001). The angle of the upper thoracic spine (p < 0.01) was significantly reduced. In the case of parameters describing thoracic kyphosis, a significant increase was observed both for the thoracic kyphosis angle (p < 0.01) and the depth of this part of the spine. As for the parameters describing lumbar lordosis, both the lordosis angle and its depth were significantly reduced (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Conclusions: 1. Elongation exercises reduce the depth of lumbar lordosis. 2. During elongation exercises thoracic kyphosis becomes deeper

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.

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 childs 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 childs 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 childs weight on parameters of foot shape and observed significant lowering of the longitudinal and traverse arches of the feet and advanced toe deformities.

The foot deformity versus postural control in females aged over 65 years.

Purpose: Correct foot structure is important due to locomotion and postural stability. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between morphological foot structure and balance indices in a quiet standing position in women over 65 years of age. Methods: The study included 116 women aged 65–90 years. The mean age was 70.6 ± 8.4 years and BMI 29.1 ± 3.4 m/kg 2 . The measured indices included postural control while standing on both feet and photogrammetric foot evaluation. An analysis was performed of the selected foot and balance indices. Results: There were no significant differences observed in the feet structure. Certain correlations between some foot indices and the indices of postural control were noted. The increased differences in the width indices between the right and the left foot lead to balance deterioration. Larger angles of valgity and varus deformity of toes and indices describing the longitudinal arch and transverse front arch of the foot have the greatest impact on the deterioration of balance in the medio-lateral axis. Conclusions: The differences between the indices and morphological indices for the right and the left foot are not significant, which indicates the proportionate formation of feet in the individual life. The increased differences in the width indices between the right and the left foot lead to balance deterioration. Larger angles of valgity and varus deformity of toes and indices describing the longitudinal arch and transverse front arch of the foot have the greatest impact on the deterioration of balance in the medio-lateral axis.

Examination of the compatibility of the photogrammetric method with the phenomenon of mora projection in the evaluation of scoliosis.

Introduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the compatibility of external measurements of parameters characterizing scoliosis using the photogrammetric method. Material. The study involved 120 children between the ages of 7 and 11 years in Podkarpackie (Poland). Method. Measurements of body posture characteristics were performed using the photogrammetric method with mora projection. Each person was examined twice, once by two different therapists, with a time lapse of 20 minutes in between examinations. Results. High accuracy and no statistical significance were found among different measurements of asymmetry parameters characterizing the shoulder blades and hips. Regularities were also found in the characteristic measurements of curves of scoliosis. The POSTI parameter showed a significant variation and lack of compatibility of results. Conclusions. (1) The photogrammetric method used to assess the pathological changes caused by scoliosis gives significant results in terms of parameters characterizing the position of the shoulder blades and shoulders, as well as pelvis rotation. (2) High compliance measurements are also characterized by the length of the right and left arcs of scoliosis.