Prevalence of postural alterations in students of Basic Education in the city of Vila Velha, Espírito Santo state, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Human posture goes through a series of changes in the course of body growth and development, i.e., in childhood and adolescence. Moreover, during these phases, individuals are subject to risk behaviors for spinal problems, especially those related to the use of backpacks and to poor sitting posture. Objective: This study aimed to detect the prevalence of postural alterations in school children enrolled in the UMEF Vila Olímpica, Vila Velha, Espírito Santo. Methods: We evaluated 513 schoolchildren in the orthostatic position and in the anterior, posterior and side view. The following structures were analyzed: head, shoulder, the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, pelvis and lower limbs. Results: There was a high prevalence of postural deviations: rotated or tilted head, elevated shoulder and pelvis, valgus or varus knee, head protraction, alterations of the thoracic spine, anteriorized shoulders, pelvis in anteversion, knees semiflexion or hyperextension and cavus or planus feet. Conclusion: Our results suggest that there is a high prevalence of postural alterations in students in the school network of Vila Velha (ES). This could be detected through public health policies, such as the federal government´s Health at School Program (PSE).prevalência de desvios posturais: cabeça rodada ou inclinada, elevação do ombro e da pelve, joelho valgo ou varo, além de cabeça em protração, alterações da coluna torácica, ombros anteriorizados, pelve em anteroversão, joelhos em semiflexão ou hiperextensão, e pés cavos ou planos. Apesar de não poderem ser extrapolados ao município, a divulgação dos resultados, servirá de subsídios para novos estudos de prevalência de alterações posturais em escolares do ensino fundamental, os quais poderão proporcionar uma análise mais precisa, além de permitir o planejamento de estratégias de intervenção.