Gordana Tripunovic, Jovan Jovanoviã Zmaj, Elementary School, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Abstract
A basic posture is thought to be inherited, but it can be modified by environmental factors
such as illness, age, physical activity, living conditions, physical environment, diet, and many
others. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in postural status between
trained athletes and untrained children of the same age. The population sample included boys
aged 8-10 years from elementary schools in the city of Novi Sad, as well as from sport clubs in
the same area. They were assigned to either of the three groups: A) pupils participating in an
individual sport (N=50); B) pupils participating in a team sport (N=51), and C) pupils attending
physical education (PE) classes only (N=50)(control group). All measurements of postural status
were taken using the Napoleon Wolanski method. The analyses showed that the situation in the
control group is rather worrisome, where postural status is very poor. The weakest links are the
abdominal muscles, but also the head, shoulders, shoulder blades, spine, feet and legs.
Keywords: postural status, pupils, physical activity, sport
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