Spinal Postures of Children seated on the floor in Schools in Ahmedabad District, India
Abstract
Purpose: In some schools in India, children sit on the floor during class time due to non-availability of furniture. The present study was conducted to assess the spinal postures of school-going children when seated in various positions on the floor.
Method: The cross-sectional survey included 62 children by random selection. The boys and girls were from classes 1 - 8. Photographs were taken in four positions: A-standing; B-sitting on the floor while looking at teacher or board; C-sitting on the floor and looking down while writing in books; D-sitting on the floor and copying from the blackboard. Markers were placed on anatomical points: tragus, canthus, C7 vertebra, T12 vertebra, greater trochanter and the lateral malleolus. Craniovertebral angle (CVA), gaze angle, trunk angle and sway angle in degrees were measured using Surgimap software. Differences in mean angles in various positions were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test. Post-hoc analysis was performed using Dunn-Sidak correction test.
Results: Mean CVA in position A (standing) was 54.11±7.0 degrees; in position B it was 41.7±9.2 degrees; in position C it was 43.60±43.09 degrees; and, in position D it was 8.8±16.85 degrees. Mean gaze angle in position A was 20.01±9.18 degrees; in position B it was 26.99±10.15 degrees; gaze angle could not be measured in position C (when the students looked into their books); and, in position D it was 35.08±9.164 degrees. Mean trunk angle in position A was 147.95±9.6 degrees; in position B it was 132.80±10.11 degrees; in position C it was 132.80±10.69 degrees; and, in position D it was 128.64±10.80 degrees. Mean sway angle was 160.91±7.70 degrees in standing position. Statistics showed significant difference between the angles in all the different positions (p<0.001).
Conclusion: In schools without appropriate furniture, sitting on the floor leads to a significant alteration in spinal postures among school-going children. Increased stress on the neck and back may predispose these children to early degenerative changes. Suitable furniture needs to be provided and good posture needs to be taught to children.
Limitations: Detailed pain assessment and comparison between higher and lower classes could not be done.
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