Early detection of spine pathologies enables the provision of effective prophylactic and corrective interventions, including physical activity. Physical activity is an essential element of proper development of the human body and improvement of motor skills. Increased physical activity of children of sports classes seems to prevent the developmental anomalies of the spine.
The aim of the present study was the physiotherapeutic evaluation of 10-12-year-old children attending sports classes of the Primary School in Mielec. The study population consisted of 56 healthy children (17 boys and 39 girls) regularly attending physical education classes. The range of physical fitness was assessed using the fingers-floor, Schober`s and Matthias tests.
The findings demonstrated that the parameters of somatic development of pupils were within normal limits.
Moreover, BMI was normal. The changes in somatic development were found to affect the level of physical fitness. Increased BMI was associated with deteriorated physical fitness. In the study population, boys had the results closer to normal limits.
Pupils of the general profile class were characterised by qualitatively better physical activity as they spent their free time in a more variegated way. The activities of children from the sports classes were monotonous and lacked diversity. Postural defects, predominantly round backs, were observed in 29% of children from the sports classes.
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