The prevalence of postural disorders in children and adolescents: A cross sectional study

Aim: Postural insufficiency in children and adolescents is considered as a risk factor for back pain. The evaluation is performed through the Matthiass arm-raising test, a visual test procedure with a high risk of subjective interpretation. Therefore, the prevalence data for postural insufficiency differ over a wide range in the literature. This study is focuses on the prevalence of postural insufficiency before and during adolescence with an objective test procedure and a more accurate interpretation of the Matthiass arm-raising test. Method: Pictures of 663 children, examined through the photographically documented Matthiass arm-raising test, were measured with specially developed software on the monitor. The degree of body trunk inclination indicating the postural stability power allows one to accurately define the following categories: postural stability, postural impairment and postural decline. Results: 34% of children at the age of 8 to 9 years show a postural insufficiency which is evenly distributed between postural impairment and postural decline for both genders. At the age of 11 to 14 years, postural insufficiency decreases to 19%. The decline, especially for severe forms, is predominant in boys. Conclusion: Before the adolescence period, postural insufficiency is distributed evenly with regard to both form and gender, while a noticeable decline shows up as the age increases. The decline for girls seems to be less caused by the earlier entry into adolescence.