The perception of vertical and horizontal orientation in children with incorrect body postures

Anna Brzęk, Olga Nowotny-Czupryna

Anna Brzęk, Olga Nowotny-Czupryna – The perception of vertical and horizontal orientation in children with incorrect body postures. Fizjoterapia Polska 2008; 8(4); 445-453

Abstract
Background. Maintaining a correct body posture depends on the proper processing and interpretation of sensory information furnished primarily by proprioceptors. Postural reflexes play an essential role in the maintenance of a vertical position. A key role is played here by the labyrinth and receptors situated in the ankle joint region. When the support plane is altered, they induce dislocations of the higher body parts to ensure balance. Proprioception is aided by visual control, which ensures spatial orientation. The aim of this paper was to examine the effect of changes in the support plane on the perception of vertical and horizontal orientation in children with scoliosis and those with correct body postures.Material and methods. Thirty children with scoliosis were examined. A control group consisted of 31 children with correct postures. The perception of vertical and horizontal orientation was assessed first in a standing position on a horizontal support plane, followed by four assessments with the supporting platform tilted in different directions.Results. The subjects (88.3%) performed the poorest when the platform was tilted in the direction of the curvature. The scoliotic children performed inferiorly compared to the controls. The differences depended partly on the degree, direction and location of scoliosis.Conclusions. 1. Inappropriate perception of the orientation of vertical and horizontal lines by scoliotic children appears to be one aspect of a more profound disturbance of postural reflexes 2. It is difficult to state at this stage whether these disturbances are the cause or the result of scoliosis.
Key words:
incorrect body posture, the vertical and horizontal lines orientation, postural reflexes
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