Postural defects and the efficacy of prevention programs in schools

Authors: Damian M. Kania, Patrycja M. Romaniszyn, Andrzej W. Mitas

Published online:  4 May 2020

Abstract: The body posture is the person’s individual feature that varies daily and throughout his or her life. Postural defects are one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases of affluence in the world. The problems are usually caused by bad postural habits, excess body weight (which can permanently impair the locomotor system), and decreasing physical activity. It is commonly believed that the greatest risks occur during the period of the fastest growth of a child, i.e. between the age of 6 and 7 years, and during puberty. Diversified and multi-directional measures should be taken to effectively counteract the dangerous and deepening phenomenon of the prevalence of postural defects in children. The effectiveness of preventive measures aimed at limiting postural defects is determined by the need for cooperation of all entities closely related to teaching, education, and care of the physical and mental health of the child. A very important stimulus that improves the willingness and involvement of the child (patient) in the therapy may be the use of interactive games, which force the correction of specific forms of movement, and the use of attractive means of activating mobility, such as sensorimotor disks etc.