Maciej Rachwał

Analysis of Relationship between the Body Mass Composition and Physical Activity with Body Posture in Children

Introduction. Excessive body mass in turn may contribute to the development of many health disorders including disorders of musculoskeletal system, which still develops intensively at that time. Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between childrens body mass composition and body posture. The relationship between physical activity level of children and the parameters characterizing their posture was also evaluated. Material and Methods. 120 school age children between 11 and 13 years were enrolled in the study, including 61 girls and 59 boys. Each study participant had the posture evaluated with the photogrammetric method using the projection moiré phenomenon. Moreover, body mass composition and the level of physical activity were evaluated. Results. Children with the lowest content of muscle tissue showed the highest difference in the height of the inferior angles of the scapulas in the coronal plane. Children with excessive body fat had less slope of the thoracic-lumbar spine, greater difference in the depth of the inferior angles of the scapula, and greater angle of the shoulder line. The individuals with higher level of physical activity have a smaller angle of body inclination. Conclusion. The content of muscle tissue, adipose tissue, and physical activity level determines the variability of the parameter characterizing the body posture.

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.

Influence of the Weight of a School Backpack on Spinal Curvature in the Sagittal Plane of Seven-Year-Old Children

The aim of the paper was to determine a correlation between the weight of a childs backpack, their body weight, and certain features of their body posture. Material and Methods. The study group consisted of 109 children, all aged seven years. The parameters of body posture were determined using the Zebris Ultrasonic System. Results. The number of children carrying a school backpack in accordance with recommendations was 44 subjects (40.37%). Statistically significant changes were found in the total length of the spine (Z = 2.223, p = 0.026) and between backpack weight and changes in the following parameters: the total length of the spine (r s = −0.3999, p = 0.017), the length and the angle of the lumbar lordosis (r s = −0.3352, p = 0.049), the angle of the lumbar lordosis (r s = −0.5065, p = 0.002), and the sacral angle (r s = −0.4279, p = 0.010). Conclusions. Wearing a backpack heavier than 10% of ones body weight can cause shallowing of the lumbar lordosis and a tendency towards a vertical position of the sacrum. Monitoring the weight of childrens school backpacks and enabling them to leave books and notebooks at school would probably be beneficial in reducing the daily burden put on childrens spines.

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 childrens 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 childs entire spine. Therefore, we advocate the introduction of posture education programs for schoolchildren.

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.

Correlation of physical activity and fitness with arches of the foot in children

Summary Study aim: Physical activity is crucial for a child’s development, as well as for the development of the foot. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of the level of physical activity and physical fitness with the arches of the foot in children in non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing conditions. Material and methods: The study population consisted of 92 children aged 10 to 14 years. We assessed their physical fitness with a modified Zuchora test. The modification consisted in choosing three (speed, jumping ability, and flexibility) out of a total of six trials. To assess the physical activity, we used a screening test - the anonymous Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity questionnaire. To analyze the arches of the foot, we used computer equipment based on the Moiré projection method. Results: Pearson’s chi-squared test did not reveal any significant correlation between physical activity, physical fitness, and longitudinal and transversal arches in children. The percentage of normal and high foot arches increased with increasing levels of physical activity and physical fitness. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test analysis confirmed a statistically significant difference (with p < 0.001) in the longitudinal and transversal arches in measurements in non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing conditions. Conclusions: 1. In the examined group, there were functional lateral and longitudinal flat feet. 2. A lowered longitudinal arch foot might reduce physical activity and fitness in adolescents.

Quantitative analysis of static equilibrium in women after mastectomy

Abstract Background: The post-mastectomy changes to the locomotor system are related to the scar and adhesion or to the lymphatic edema after amputation which, in turn, lead to local and global distraction of the work of the muscles. These changes lead to body statics disturbance that changes the projection of the center of gravity and worsens motor response due to changing of the muscle sensitivity. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the static balance of women after undergoing mastectomy. Methods: The study included 150 women, including 75 who underwent mastectomy (mean age: 60±7.6) years, mean body mass index (BMI): 26 (±3.6) kg/m2) and 75 who were placed in the control group with matched age and BMI. The study was conducted using a tensometric platform. Results: Statistically significant differences were found for almost all parameters between the post-mastectomy group and group of healthy women, regarding center of foot pressure (COP) path length in the Y and X axes and the mean amplitude of COP. Conclusions: First, the findings revealed that balance in post-mastectomy women is significantly better than in the control group. Second, physiotherapeutic treatment of post-mastectomy women may have improved their posture stability compared with their peers.