ArticleChildren (Basel, Switzerland)2025
Postural Fitness Protocol in Children and Adolescents: Descriptive Values from the ISQUIOS Program.
Article in Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Comment on "Sagittal misalignment patterns and pathomechanical hypothesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a radiographic analysis".Spine deformity · 2026Article
- Trunk Muscle Performance, Spinal Alignment, and Postural Profiles in 9-11-Year-Old Children Participating in Intensively Organized Sport Assessed with Non-Radiographic Tools.Sports (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Comment on "Sagittal balance dynamics during gait in patients with degenerative spine disease".Spine deformity · 2026Article
- Load-carrying biomechanics in children: programed exercise enhances postural resilience and reduces plantar pressure under backpack load.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
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3 authors.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND/
objectivesBack pain is increasingly prevalent during childhood and adolescence, often predicting adult spinal disorders. This study aimed to describe sex-specific anthropometric and "Postural Fitness" characteristics in school-aged children and adolescents and to introduce a standardized, field-based assessment protocol for early screening of postural and functional deficits.
methodsThis cross-sectional study included a total of 494 students (8-17 years; 50% girls) from 14 schools in Murcia (Spain). Exclusion criteria included diagnosed spinal pathology or major physical injury, lack of signed informed consent, absence on the testing day, and incomplete Postural Fitness assessment. The "Postural Fitness" protocol included assessments of sagittal spinal alignment (inclinometer), hip range of motion (ROM) (inclinometer with an extendable telescopic arm), pelvic tilt (goniometer with a spirit level system), and trunk muscle endurance (chronometer). Tests were conducted in physical education sessions by trained sports scientists.
resultsSignificant sex-based differences were observed. Boys exhibited greater thoracic kyphosis (40.3 ± 9.6° vs. 36.7 ± 9.2°), reduced hip ROM (passive hip extension (PHE): 16.8 ± 8.1°, passive hip flexion with knee extension (PHFKE): 68.9 ± 8.6°), and more posterior pelvic tilt (104.9 ± 8.4° vs. 99.7 ± 8.1°), whereas girls demonstrated increased lumbar lordosis (35.7 ± 8.6° vs. 31.5 ± 8.5°), greater hip ROM (PHE: 18.5 ± 9°, PHFKE: 77.9 ± 13°), and superior trunk extensor endurance (123.2 ± 74.7 s vs. 106.2 ± 69.8 s). Lateral trunk muscle endurance was higher in boys (48.7 ± 31 s vs. 41.4 ± 24.9 s).
conclusionsThe "Postural Fitness" protocol proved feasible in school settings and revealed key sex-based disparities in spinal and neuromuscular profiles. These findings highlight the need for individualized, sex-specific screening and preventive programs to enhance back health during growth. Implementing this protocol may support early identification of modifiable risk factors linked to spinal dysfunction and pain in youth.
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