Romanian Journal of Physical Therapy (Dec 2017)
EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PRACTICED IN GYMS ON ADULT WOMEN’S POSTURE
Abstract
Aim: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects of physical activity practiced in gyms on body posture, body attitude and detection of visible physical deficiencies, postural disorders of adult women. Subjects and methods: The study involved 95 adult women from Oradea, practiotioners of physical exercises in a fitness center. Period of the study: February 2015 - June 2016. For the posture assessment, the global and segmental somatoscopic exams (and photo images) were performed. The physical activity program consisted of Step - aerobics, Pilates and strength training in the gym, 3 times a week for 60-90 minutes each session, for 12 months. The data obtained were statistically analyzed with the SPSS program. Results: In the initial global somatoscopic assessment, it was found that 48,4% of the subjects had scoliotic body attitudes, 18,9% lordotic, 13,7% normal body attitude, 6,3% kypho-lordotic, 5,3% kyphotic and lordoticscoliotic and 1,1% military attitude and kypholordo-scoliotic. After participating in the training, the final global somatoscopic assessment shows that 40% of the subjects had scoliotic attitude, 17,9% lordotic, 33,7% normal body attitude, 2,1% kypho-lordotic, 2,1% kyphotic, 3,2% lordoscoliotic, and 1,1% kypho-lordo-scoliotic. Conclusions: Applying the physical activity program for 12 months contributed to improvements in global body attitude and posture, the number of people with a normal global postural attitude rising from 13 to 32. In segmental somatoscopic assessment, improvements can be seen in all body segments.
