Postural Deviations and Physical Strength in Adolescents

A comparative study on grip strength, leg strength, pelvic tilt, and shoulder alignment in students aged 12 to 15

Abstract

This comparative study carefully investigated important differences among adolescents (12-15 years) regarding posture, specifically comparing healthy posture to peers with certain postural deviations. The research focused on a few key postural variables related to posture (shoulder alignment angle and pelvic tilt angle), and used a digital image analysis system to document and evaluate those key variables. Along with examining postural variables, the study also documented some basic muscular functions to indicate overall health status. In the study, handgrip strength was measured using a hand-dynamometer, and the students’ explosive power of the legs was assessed using the vertical jump test, which used a force platform device to obtain vertical jump height. The total research sample contained 100 students who were broken into two groups: students with healthy posture, compared to students with examples of pelvic imbalance and visible shoulder deviation or irregularities. Statistical analysis to compare the group's differences identified clear and statistically significant observable differences between each group and the other on the postural angle measurements or position related to the shoulder and pelvis. This outcome provides evidence that postural deviations are demonstrably related to postural imbalance for the complete body; however, one of the largest points that stood out was that the differences in overall strength levels were not different (for grip strength or maximum leg power) in the two groups. Also, correlation analysis indicated there was no significant statistical correlation between the measured postural variables (shoulder angle/pelvic tilt) and measured muscular capabilities (handgrip strength, maximum leg power) for either group.