Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Students spend a substantial amount of time sitting at school desks and carry heavy loads on their backs, which requires proper musculoskeletal function as well as adequate opportunities for physical activity. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between posture and school backpack use among primary school students, with particular emphasis on the effects of a posture correction exercise program.
METHODS: The longitudinal, quantitative study was conducted at the Derkovits Városrészi Szent Márton Catholic Primary School between January and March 2024. Sixth- and eighth-grade students without musculoskeletal disorders were purposively selected for inclusion. Students who missed more than 30% of the exercise program were excluded (N=3). The assessment employed the 12 tests of the Hungarian Spine Society, as well as the Matthias test, Schober test, Domján lateral flexion test, and the Plank test (p<0.05).
RESULTS: Participants carried school backpacks weighing an average of 10.60±4 kg, corresponding to 12.48±7% of their body weight. Following the 12-week posture correction exercise program, significant improvements were observed in the 12 tests of the Hungarian Spine Society (p<0.05), as well as in the results of the Matthias, Schober, lateral flexion, and Plank tests (p<0.05). A significant reduction was also found in the distance between the inferior angles of the scapulae (p<0.05).Among sixth-grade students in the control group, improvement in protracted head posture was more pronounced than in eighth-grade students, further supporting the age-specific adaptability and effectiveness of the program.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, it can be concluded overall that the complex exercise program is suitable for both preventive and corrective purposes, and thus may play a significant role in the prevention and management of postural disorders in childhood. Proper adjustment of school backpacks supports the effectiveness of the exercise program.