The prevalence and changes of postural deformities during the course of adolescence in a cohort of South African adolescents: the PAHL study
Oral Presentation B13.4
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.579Keywords:
Body Postural Deformities, Adolesence, Postural Changes, Postural Adaptations, South African AdolescentAbstract
Background: Evidence exists that postural disorders may occur during growth and development in children. Research regarding posture changes during adolescents, especially in black children is limited. Purpose: To determine the prevalence and changes of postural deformities during the course of adolescence among black South African adolescents. Methods: A total of 100 black South African adolescents, aged 14 years in 2010 and 18 years in 2014, were part of the Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal Study (PAHLS). Participants’ stature, body mass, and the New-York Posture Test of postural deformities were measured. Each test item was scored on a 5-3-1 basis and the score of each item was based on the criteria and drawings located on the score sheet The Adam’s Test was used to evaluate for scoliosis. Additionally, an inkpad (The Harris Mat Impression system, Step Forward Foot Correctors®) was used to obtain a walking footprint of each participant. The footprints were scored as follows: 5 = high arches, 3 = arches lower and feet slightly flat and 1 = arches low and feet markedly flat. Results: The results show that in all 13 variables of postures, the prevalence of abnormal posture ranged from 0-35% and slightly abnormal ranged from 16-73% for the total group across the measured points. The observed findings in the present study for the total group, showed a high prevalence for forward head, forward shoulders, hip sway, lordosis, and uneven shoulders in the abnormal and slightly abnormal category in 2014. Out of the 13 posture variables, boys showed more abnormal posture (forward head, p≤0.001; forward shoulders, p≤0.001 kyphosis, p=0.007 and hip sway, p=0.048) than the girls who were presented with three categories of significant changes in abnormal posture (forward head, p≤0.001; uneven shoulders, p=0.049 and lordosis, p=0.004) over the period of study. Conclusion: The prevalence of posture abnormality indicated that boys were more affected than the girls. The prevalence of the postural deviations increased over the course of adolescence. Implementing intervention programmes in schools to address these postural deviations at an early stage should be encouraged. Funding: Research supported by the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) under the Self-Initiated Research Grants Programme. Additionally, funds received from the NRF for rated researchers are acknowledged.
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Copyright (c) 2021 Tamrin Veldsman, Makama A. Monyeki
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