Development of postural disorders in schoolchildren

Introduction. Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system have been occupying the leading place in morbidity among schoolchildren for a long time. Our research aim was to examine peculiarities of developing postural disorders in schoolchildren from different age groups. Materials and methods. We examined seventy two primary schoolchildren (their average age was 8.19±0.32 years); 87 middle schoolchildren (12.94±0.24 years); and 54 senior schoolchildren (16.65±0.21 years). These test groups were comparable for gender and social background. The health of the musculoskeletal system was assessed on the base on data of a medical examination and results by laboratory tests (phosphor-calcium metabolism); postural disorders were examined as per surfaces with a computer optical topographer; bone mineral density was determined by ultrasound osteodensitometry; body composition was assessed with bioimpedance analysis (BIA). Results. Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system were detected in 77-83.3% schoolchildren. Each second child in primary and middle school had deforming dorsopathy and each second senior school student had scoliosis. We established a probability of developing scoliosis to be by 5.9 times higher in senior school. Children in primary school predominantly had twisting postural disorders (28.4%) and swayback (11.1%) accompanied with the lower phase angle, a lower share of active muscle mass detected with BIA and osteopenia developing in ¼ cases. 16.1-26.1% of middle schoolchildren had twisting postural disorders and kyphosis, 57.9% children in this age group had lower contents of ionized calcium in blood, 28% had osteopenia and a decrease in fat-free mass detected with BIA. Scoliosis in senior schoolchildren (51.9%) and kyphotic-lordotic back (24.1%) were accompanied with lower contents of phosphor and alkaline phosphatase, developing apparent osteopenia (18.4%) and lower mineral mass. We established the probability of postural disorders developing in three surfaces to be 3.3 times higher among teenagers in senior school. Limitations. The results of the studies can only be extrapolated to the population of 7-17 years children of both genders. Conclusion. We revealed certain peculiarities of developing postural disorders in schoolchildren. They can be used in implementing health-preserving technologies in schools as well as in developing new hygienic and organizational approaches to the conditions of the educational process in schools.