Effect of special stress on morphology and structure in growing children
Motajová, J.
Folia Morphologica 24(2): 191-196
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-5640 PMID: 1278833 Document Number: 99676
A longitudinal study of certain morphological developmental changes in 11-15 yr old children was conducted. One group comprised children given special gymnastic trining, who were exposed to 5 times greater physical stress than the children in the control group. Somatometric, physiometric and radiographic indicators of the development of ossification were studied. Some changes in the development of the knees, ankles, shoulders, pelvis and the whole spine were observed. The probands in both groups were constitutionally tall and well nourished. The children of the gymnast group were better proportioned and of an athletic or normosthenic type. There was a distinct difference in the ossification development of bone age in both groups of girls, it was 1-2 yr ahead of development in boys. No acceleration or retardation changes in the development of bone age in the children in question compared with the normal population was seen. X-ray investigations showed no morphological or structural changes in the children's joints in either group (knee, ankle, shoulder, hip). Four years' stress at this age is probably too short a time for verifying any changes in the supportive apparatus by means of X-ray examination. X-ray examination of the children's spines at the beginning of this study and even more at the end, in the 9th class, showed more cases of faulty posture and deviation of the spine in the control group. Bad posture improved in the children who took gymnastics. Regular, all-round and specific exercise which posturally strengthens the muscles of the trunk can help to ensure correct posture and to rectify faulty posture.