Posture defects and visual refraction defects in school-age children
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1
Department of Physiotherapy, Health Sciences Institute, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
2
Department of Physical Education, Health Sciences Institute, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
Submission date: 2025-02-22
Final revision date: 2025-06-05
Acceptance date: 2025-07-13
Online publication date: 2026-09-18
Corresponding author
Paulina Szumilas
Department of Physiotherapy, Health Sciences Institute, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland.
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in posture defects among children and adolescents. The number of individuals with visual impairments is also on the rise. Both of these problems are interconnected and can exacerbate one another.
Aim of the research:
To analyse the relationship between postural defects and visual refractive defects in school-age children.
Material and methods:
The study was conducted on a group of 250 children aged 11–12 years. The study group consisted of 203 children with refractive errors, while the control group consisted of 47 children without refractive errors. Body posture was assessed using spatial photogrammetry with the Diers formetric III 4D.
Results:
Among children with visual impairments, scoliotic posture was more prevalent. Analysis of correlations between body posture variables and refractive errors revealed strong relationships between the following: the scoliosis angle, kyphosis angle ICT-ITL, lordosis angle ITL-ILS, and visual refractive errors. In the group of 11-year-old girls, a strong correlation was found between visual refractive errors and the kyphotic apex, and the lordotic apex. In the group of 12-year-old girls, pelvic inclination was correlated with visual refractive errors. Among 12-year-old boys, an additional strong correlation was found between refractive errors and lateral deviation. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was observed in all respondents concerning the scoliosis angle variable. Children aged 11–12 years with refractive errors more frequently exhibit scoliotic posture than children with normal vision. A significant relationship was found between the presence of visual refractive errors and body posture parameters.
Conclusions:
Visual defects affect posture control and asymmetries in the musculoskeletal system in the studied age group.
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