Postural disorders in schoolchildren
Mismatch between physical loads and hygienic conditions and the level of child development leads to spinal deformations. Two characteristic types of disorders are distinguished:
- Lordotic posture. Characterized by a sharp increase in the lumbar curve (lordosis) against the background of a smoothed cervical curve. Visually, the upper half of the child's body is thrown back, and the abdomen protrudes strongly forward. If such a disorder is recorded in senior school age, it may signal the presence of a severe somatic pathology that inhibits or distorts general physical development.
- Slouched posture. In contrast to lordotic, here the cervical curve is excessively expressed with a flattened lumbar curve. The patient's head is lowered and protrudes forward, shoulders are brought together and lowered. From the standpoint of etiology, this condition is most typical for adolescents in the prepubertal period. The main trigger is a sharp growth spurt in length: the teenager is psychologically unready for the new body dimensions and reflexively slouches, trying to visually appear shorter than peers.
Primary school age: onset of adaptation
In the first years of schooling, the child's body faces fundamentally new requirements to which its systems are only partially ready.
- Muscular system. Develops extremely intensively, but asymmetrically. Large muscle masses (trunk and back musculature) grow significantly faster than small muscles (including hand muscles). Because of this, it is physiologically difficult for children to perform fine, high-precision movements that require developed fine motor skills (e.g., prolonged writing).
- Nervous system. Characterized by pronounced instability of nervous processes. Processes of excitation prevail over processes of inhibition. As a consequence, the child is unable to concentrate attention for a long time and is prone to early onset of fatigue both during mental work in class and during physical activity.
Middle school age: period of high risks
This is a critical stage requiring strict dosing of activity and control over working posture.
- Skeletal system. Although the histological structure of bone tissue is already approaching adult parameters, the ossification process of the spinal column is not yet complete. Prolonged static tension (especially incorrect posture at the desk) creates a colossal danger of forming persistent spinal curvatures.
- Danger of pelvic injury. Individual parts of the skeleton, in particular the pelvic bones, are in the stage of incomplete fusion. Sudden vertical loads (jumping) can provoke displacement of the pelvic bones and their subsequent pathological fusion. This is a critically unfavorable factor for girls, as pelvic deformation threatens severe complications in future childbirth.
- Physical load regimen. Excessive loads are absolutely contraindicated. However, moderate physical activity is strictly mandatory — it serves as the main tool for strengthening bone tissue and correcting postural disorders. Important nuance: the child's body during this period tolerates strength exercises much worse than speed (fast) movements.
- Nervous and muscular restructuring. The onset of puberty provokes increased excitability and lability of the nervous system. Simultaneously, the growth of muscle mass and strength accelerates (especially in boys), coordination improves, and endurance for prolonged work increases.
Adolescence: completion of formation
At this stage, the body functionally and anatomically approaches the adult state.
- Musculoskeletal system. The architectonics of the skeletal and muscular systems are almost completely formed.
- Physical indicators. Another pronounced growth spurt of the body in length is noted, accompanied by a significant increase in body weight and a substantial increase in absolute muscle strength.
- Refinement of motor skills. Unlike primary school students, adolescents experience an intensive and targeted development of small muscles. This allows the body to successfully perform the most precise and complexly coordinated movements.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What types of postural disorders are distinguished in schoolchildren?
Postural disorders in the sagittal and frontal planes are distinguished in schoolchildren.
Depending on the severity of sagittal curves, two groups are distinguished:
- First group — the difference between the cervical and lumbar curves is no more than 2 cm; it includes normal, straightened, and kyphotic posture.
- Second group — the difference exceeds 2 cm; it includes lordotic and slouched posture.
The following defects are also distinguished:
- Round back — an increase in thoracic kyphosis against the background of a mildly expressed lordosis in the cervical and lumbar regions.
- Asymmetric posture — unstable, functional deviation of the spine in the frontal plane.
- Scoliosis — postural disorders in the frontal plane; thoracic, total left-sided, and S-shaped scoliosis are distinguished.
What hygienic requirements are imposed on the dimensions and arrangement of school furniture for the prevention of spinal deformations?
For the prevention of spinal deformations, school furniture must strictly correspond to the anthropometric parameters of students and ensure a physiologically rational posture.
Main hygienic requirements:
- Selection by height — smaller desks are installed closer to the classroom blackboard, larger ones — further away.
- Configuration of rows — in educational rooms of longitudinal configuration, desks or tables are installed in 3 rows along the light-bearing outer wall.
- Lighting — the workplace must have strictly left-sided lighting.
- Seat rotation — at least 2 times per academic year, students sitting in the 1st and 3rd–4th rows are swapped; while maintaining the correspondence of furniture size to the child's height.
- Ergonomic models — can be used, for example, single school desks with armrests supporting the correct working posture.
How to remember postural disorders: LORDOTIC — Lord proudly pushed his belly out (lumbar curve is increased). SLOUCHED — teenager hides in a "shell" from tall height (neck forward, shoulders down).
Class and exam questions
Why is calligraphy and prolonged writing so difficult for first-graders?
In early school age, the large muscles of the back and torso grow faster than the fine muscles of the hands. Because of this uneven development, performing fine and precise movements (fine motor skills) is physiologically difficult.
Why do PE teachers in middle grades need to limit jumping, especially for girls?
At this age, the pelvic bones have not yet fused completely. Jumping and sudden vertical loads can lead to displacement of the pelvic bones and their improper fusion, which in the future can cause serious complications during childbirth.
Is it permissible to give strength loads to middle school students?
Excessive and heavy strength loads are unacceptable, as they are tolerated by the body worse than fast speed movements. However, moderate physical activity is mandatory for the proper ossification of the spine and prevention of postural disorders.
What else to study on this topic
- Sanitary and hygienic requirements for school furniture and student seating
- Prevention of scoliosis and flat feet in school conditions
- Physiological criteria for assessing a child's readiness for learning
- Impact of the pubertal growth spurt on the adolescent cardiovascular system
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