Sagittal body alignment in a sitting position in children is not affected by the generalized joint hypermobility

Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 2;11(1):13748. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-93215-7.

Abstract

Back pain may be related to an improper sitting position. The aim of the study was to assess the sagittal curvatures of the spine in a sitting position in children with generalized joint hypermobility (GJH). The study included 302 children aged 8-14 years. The sagittal curvatures of the spine (sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis with its lower and upper part) were assessed using the Saunders digital inclinometer. In order to assess GJH a 9-point Beighton scale was used. The study revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in sagittal curvatures of the spine in a relaxed sitting position between children with and without GJH. Regardless of the occurrence of GJH, kyphotic alignment of the spine was noted in a relaxed sitting. GJH does not affect the position of the trunk in a sagittal plane in a relaxed sitting position in children aged 8-14 years. A relaxed sitting position in children with and without GJH is characterized by a kyphotic position of the spine caused by an improper position of pelvis and lumbar segment of the spine.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Back Pain / diagnosis
  • Back Pain / pathology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / diagnosis*
  • Joint Instability / diagnostic imaging
  • Joint Instability / pathology
  • Kyphosis / diagnosis*
  • Kyphosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Kyphosis / pathology
  • Lordosis / diagnosis*
  • Lordosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Lordosis / pathology
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
  • Male
  • Posture / physiology
  • Sitting Position*
  • Spine / diagnostic imaging
  • Spine / pathology
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / pathology