ORre spent on the benches in the same position to which are often added afternoons spent with the head tilted on tablets and video games: the maintenance of bad posture in children and the possible consequences on their back is often a cause for concern for parents.
In fact, we must not forget that one good posture is indicated among the fundamental rules for safeguard the well-being of the body and in particular of that part of the body which has the important function of supporting throughout life, namely the vertebral column, which it is right to learn to take care of from an early age.
So how can parents promptly recognize (and possibly prevent) the onset of postural problems? And what are the aspects that it is right to consider? To answer these questions, and to debunk some false myths on the subject, is Valerio Barbari, physiotherapist and co-founder of FisioSciencea training platform for physiotherapists that has now also become a community.
School and poor posture in children
Parental concern is often related to the fact that children spend many hours in schoolin the same position, often maintaining bad postures.
«Although the scholastic setting which foresees the maintenance of the same position for hours does not help the development of one correct posture – explains Valerio Barbari – it is also true that the fear linked to the fact that sitting can cause their children to become hunchbacks is completely unfounded. In fact, children, from an early age onwards, have surprising adaptability».
The role of physical activity
To contrast, however, the hours spent at school in the same position, physical activity represents a strategy prevention necessary. The Guidelines suggest, for the range included between 6 and 17 years oldto practice at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily more strengthening exercises of the musculoskeletal system 3 times a week.
«Physical activity, in fact, is the best medicine that the medical-health field knows – explains the physiotherapist. – The scientific community has always been in agreement on the fact that sport and physical activity are the key to obtaining positive effects on growthon posture, on muscles, tendons, bones and, more generally, on all our internal organs»
Incorrect postures in children: are there any contraindicated sports?
However, parents often think that not all sports are suitable for children’s backs. A common belief is, for example, that tennis is a contraindicated sport and that instead swimming represents the best activity for the spine.
«It was once thought that some so-called asymmetric sports, such as tennis, volleyball and other activities that involve the preferential use of one side of the body over the other, promote the onset of certain problems – explains Valerio Barbari. – Today we know fortunately that this is not the case: physical activity, whatever it is, promotes the growth of children e optimizes the strength, resistance and elasticity of all our fabrics».
Mood and nutrition
It should not be underestimated that even the psychological sphere may affect children’s posture.
«It is possible that in some cases, in fact, a mood deflection or the onset of some suffering of a psychological nature can also translate into changes in the child’s posture, such as the well-known closing position, which it provides closed shoulders and increased dorsal kyphosis»- explains the physiotherapist again.
As well as an important role in the posture of the little ones is played from the power supply.
«Obesity or overweight, for example, can affect the quality of participation in physical activity and the development of children, regardless of the specific moment of growth in which they find themselves – underlines Valerio Barbari. – It is in fact known as obesity is a serious problemwith negative effects that affect all aspects of the child’s health: quality and quantity of muscle, elasticity, resistance, strength, movement capacity and specific exercise and so much more”.
Head bowed on tablets and video games: what are the risks?
Cause for concern for parents may also be the posture assumed by children while using devices such as video games or tablets. Keep it for a long time head down in the direction of the screen can it have long-term effects on the back of the little ones?
“The problem of tablet or video game posture it is not the position in space that our body maintains, but rather the time that our body remains still in that position – replies the physiotherapist. – So, once the time turns out to be too much, our body could start sending some ‘danger signals’, first of all ache. The suggestion is therefore mainly to reduce the time of use, which is then the same advice that is given by doctors and physiotherapists to those who do sedentary jobs or spend many hours sitting in smart working ».
Incorrect postures in children: can the backpack be a problem?
On the subject of incorrect postures in children, under accusation he often finishes his school backpacktoo heavy or worn on one shoulder only.
“Sometimes it is advised to carry the backpack on both shoulders, not just one, because it could lead to the onset of scoliosis or incorrect postural attitudes, especially when tilting to one side or the other side of our body – underline the PhysioScience experts. – There is nothing more wrong with this reasoning, because all postural attitudes, both the physiological ones, therefore normal that occur during growth, and those attributable to scoliosis, are mostly independent of what happens outside. We cannot therefore say that a child who carries a backpack on one shoulder is more prone to scoliosis».
The weight of the backpack doesn’t matter
As far as the weight of the backpack is concerned, however, the experts underline that in adolescence and at an early age we must consider the body has the ability to adapt very well to the load: «The problem is not represented by the weight of the backpack itself but rather, also in this case, how long the backpack is carried during the day and then over the weeks. The problem arises above all when the backpack is worn for a long time within the same day. Another aspect to consider then could be the sudden change in weight that one wears during the week: if we are get used to any weight for a certain amount of time and suddenly there demand increases importantly until you reach even double your usual weight, then this variation could have negative effects and generate annoyance».
Incorrect postures in children: when to intervene?
So when is it appropriate to develop a real concern for children’s postures and turn to an expert?
«It should be noted that children are in the most important phase of their lives: growth. In this period of time (especially between the ages of 11 and 13) the body undergoes important changes (height, muscle volume, elasticity, posture). It goes without saying that some, albeit minimal, posture changes of their children (such as hyperkyphosis, scoliosis, hyperlordosis) may decrease or increase over time. That’s why in these cases, to verify the correct growth of the child and correct any postural errors if necessaryit can be helpful to turn to the right professionals, such as the pediatrician, orthopedist, physiatrist and, of course, the physiotherapist, even better if specialized in the musculoskeletal field or in evolutionary field» – specifies Valerio Barbari.
What to evaluate during an inspection?
Specifically, during a postural assessment, what physical therapists and doctors will look at will be shoulder heightthe dorsal curvature between the shoulder bladesthat lumbar immediately above the pelvisthe head position (leaning right, left or forward) e the height of the iliac wings (hips).
«Depending on the different stages of development, iThe physiotherapist could recommend the most appropriate activities to promote, for example, some motor skills And advise against others which are not a priority or for which there is currently no need – concludes Valerio Barbari. – In short, if on the one hand it is true that the child’s posture can correct itself over time it is also true that a postural visit doesn’t hurtindeed, it could go to correct a problem without too much effort which, if carried forward, could risk causing more serious problems in adulthood”.
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