Benefits of a posture education program for schoolchildren in the city of Garibaldi, RS

Abstract

Physical therapy plays an important role in school, as students develop bad habits and postural dysfunctions which may generate long-term functional restrictions. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of an educational program on students' posture in Garibaldi, RS. Forty-eight 8-to-10 year-old schoolchildren filled up a questionnaire about postural habits and had their knapsacks assessed as to weight, type and carrying mode, before and after an educational session; a further assessment was made four weeks later. Parents participated by answering a questionnaire on children's posture. Results showed positive changes in feet posture in the sitting position (p=0.001); in daily living activities, better postures or habits were found while watching television (p<0.0001), sleeping (p=0.019), getting objects from the ground (p<0.0001), and reading and/or writing in bed (p=0.002). As to knapsack weight, a significant decrease (p=0,002) was noticed after the session, while neither the model or mode of transport changed. Parents answered that their children have good postural habits and keep them on a regular basis. It may thus be said that one session of postural educational program for schoolchildren resulted in better knowledge on healthy postural behaviour and modified some postures, but one can't say it brought about changes in postural habits.