Spine: posture, mobility and pain. A longitudinal study from childhood to adolescence

A longitudinal study was undertaken to analyse the development of posture a nd spinal mobility during growth and its relationship to low back pain and sports activities. A total of 90 children were examined at 5-6 years of age and re-examined at 15-16. Sagittal configuration and mobility were measure d using Debrunner's kyphometer. Information about pain and activities was a cquired by interview with the parents of the 5- to 6-year-olds and by a que stionnaire to the 15- to 16-year-olds. Posture changed significantly during the study period: thoracic kyphosis increased by 6 degrees and lumbar lord osis increased by 6 degrees. The relationship between kyphosis and lordosis was independent of gender at age 5-6, but kyphosis in relation to lordosis was significantly lon gl. in girls among the 15- to 16-year-olds. The tota l sagittal mobility of the spine decreased significantly during the 10-year study period in the thoracic spine by as much as 27 degrees and in the lum bar spine by 4 degrees. About One-third of the children at the age of 15-16 years stated that they had occasional low back pain. This complaint was mo re frequent in those stating they had suffered some type of back injury, bu t low back pain was not related to gender, regular physical training, postu re or spinal mobility. The results of the study showed that kyphosis and lo rdosis increased and mobility decreased in the 90 children who were examine d both at age 5-6 and 15-16 years. The relationship between kyphosis and lo rdosis decreased in girls but not in boys. Occasional low back pain was rep orted by 38% of the children at the age of 15-16 years, but back pain was n ot related to posture, spinal mobility or physical activity.