The occurence of postural disorders and muscular imbalance in children from urban and rural environment

Background. Postural examination is considered to be one of the most important parts of the general examination and is therefore the basis for correct diagnosis and determining preventive measures or appropriate treatment procedures.
Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the functional status of school-aged children.
Methods: The study was carried out at selected primary schools in Slovakia, we examined 453 children. We assessed the quality of the postural system according to Thomas Klein´s evaluation, modified by Mayer, the presence of shortened and weakened muscles according to Janda. The following measurements were used to assess the range of motion of the spine: Otto’s inclination and reclination distance, Schober’s distance, Stibor’s distance and Thomayer’s distance.
Results. A statistically significant difference was found in the examination of gluteal muscles strength l.dx. (p = 0.03), gluteal muscles l.sin. (p ≤ 0.001), with the children from urban environment having, on average, lower muscle strength. Statistically significant differences were found in the evaluation of m. trapesiusl.dx. at significance level p = 0.04, m. trapesiusl.sin. at the level of significance p ≤ 0,001, with higher average values found in children from the urban environment.
Conclusion. Children from countryside show better postural outcomes and exhibit fewer postural disturbances than children from city backgrounds.