The association between the level of physical activity with spinal posture and physical fitness parameters in early adolescence

Abstract

Background/Aim. A low level of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle affects the body posture in adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the core relation between the level of physical activity and spinal posture as well as physical fitness parameters in 11-14 years old teenagers. Methods. The cross-sectional study included 532 children, aged from 11 to 14 years. The study was carried out at three Lithuanian schools in 2011-2013. The Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire (YPAQ) was used to assess physical activity. Spinal posture was assessed according to the Hoeger visual posture assessment method. Physical capacity was evaluated using a 6-min walking test (6 MWT) and by calculating maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max). Other physical fitness such as the general balance, flexibility, explosive leg power and abdominal muscle endurance were evaluated by applying the European Fitness Test (Eurofit). According to time spent doing moderate to vigorous intensity physical activities (MVPA), the sample was divided into 2 groups -a low activity level group and moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity level group. We compared the spinal posture evaluation results and Vol. 76, No 12 Sidlauskiene A, et al. Vojnosanit Pregl 2019; 76(12): 1209-1216. stuba od ispitanika II grupe. Za vreme šestominutnog testa hodanja, adolescenti I grupe hodali su prosečno 63,2 m manje (p = 0,002) i njihov VO2max bio je za 0,8 mL/kg/min niži od VO2max adolescenata II grupe (p = 0,006). Adolescenti I grupe bili su slabiji u eksplozivnoj snazi nogu i testu izdržljivosti trbušnih mišića u poređenju sa adolescentima II grupe. Nađena je slaba korelacija između trajanja fizičke aktivnosti umerenog do jakog intenziteta i stava kičmenog stuba, kao i nekih para-metara fizičke sposobnosti. Zaključak. Adolescenti sa slabom fizičkom aktivnošću bili su manje fizički sposobni i imali lošiji stav kičmenog stuba nego adolescenti sa fizičkom aktivnošću umerenog do jakog intenziteta.

Individual and Interpersonal Factors and Their Interaction Predicting the Intentional Physical Education Skipping Behavior among Lithuanian High School Students

“…The restrictions to attend school and limited access to after-school sports resulted in significant decreases in PA and increases in sedentary behavior (SB) [9]. That leads to gradual health deterioration in later life and current posture problems [10]. Lithuanian health statistics indicate that as much as 1.6% of children have scoliosis and 3.6% have abnormal posture [11].…”

Predictive factors of ergonomic behaviors based on social cognitive theory among women workers on assembly lines: application of Bayesian networks

“…According to a European study, individuals who engage in low levels of physical activity are more likely to have poor posture. The study found that both a sedentary lifestyle and low physical activity levels have a significant impact on postural parameters [ 37 ]. It appears that engaging in physical activity can enhance body condition through the improvement of muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and range of motion [ 38 ].…”

Does Relative Age Influence Organized Sport and Unorganized Physical Activity Participation in a Cohort of Adolescents?

“…Likewise, recommendations for increasing physical activity can incorporate different domains such as active transport (e.g., walking to school), participation in unorganized sport or active play [ 8 ], and even breaking up sedentary time with light intensity activity [ 9 ]. While participation in organized sport has been associated with a diverse range of positive outcomes among youth (e.g., enhanced resilience, character development, social skills [ 10 , 11 ]), the health benefits of physical activity (e.g., cardiorespiratory fitness, improved posture) might also be obtained in an unorganized context [ 12 , 13 ]. Thus, both organized and unorganized activity provide beneficial opportunities to increase participation.…”