[Effect of increased motor activity on changes in posture during puberty]

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate the dynamics of changes of anteroposterior curvatures and scoliosis during puberty in relation to the level of physical activity. The material consisted of 111 children. Their mean age was 11.5 years at the beginning of the study. One group (n = 53) was from a sport's class (athletics, rowing-- 2 hours training, 4-5 times a week), and the other (n = 58) from a control class. The anthropostereometric method, according to Jachowicz was used to determine the posture. Measurements were taken once a year for a period of 3 years. The analysis of the material showed a great individual variations in values and dynamics of changes of anteroposterior curvatures. Differences between trained and untrained children were observed. The results suggest a certain "stability" of stature in trained children (especially boys), probably due to increased muscular mass. During 3 years of study a lability of posture and appearance of structural defects (especially scoliosis) were observed. This indicates the need for regular control of posture and in some cases corrective exercises in the training programme. It was found, that the graphic method of evaluation of defects is more useful in practice than the descriptive one.