Postural and nutritional status of children involved in football and children that are not involved in sports aged 11 years

Abstract

Many authors have studied the influence of sports training on postural status and nutritional status of children, finding that there are positive and negative aspects, depending on the given sport. The aim of this study was to determine differences in postural and nutritional status of children who play football and their peers who are not involved in sports. Our sample comprised 141 male respondents, 79 respondents who play football for three years and more, and 62 respondents who do not play sports. Postural status was assessed using a modified method of Napoleon Wolanski, while the nutritional status was determined using the BMI formula. Differences in postural and nutritional status were analyzed by x2 test (p≤0.05). Statistically significant differences in postural status between football players and non-sportsmen were found in postural disorder winged blades (p=0.005), (there was a greater oercentage of this disorder in respondents who play football) where it was determined that this postural disorder had a higher percentage of respondents who play football. Statistically significant differences were found in nutritional status (p=0.005), confirming a better nutritional status of football players. Early detection of postural disorders, prevention and education of children about proper posture and nutrition are very important. Children's participation in organized physical activities can produce positive effects, but only with the good work of professionals, and with a combination of corrective exercises and specific sports.

Keywords

• children
• nutritional status
• postural disorders
• sport