ABSTRACT
Back pain and postural changes are present problems for children and adolescents in recent years. One of the factors contributing to the onset of these problems is poor posture while performing daily life activities (DLAs), and it is believed that Postural Education classes can stimulate the students to incorporate appropriate habits. The main objective of this study was to verify the effects of the Postural Education Program (PEP) of nine weeks on the dynamic posture of students while performing DLAs. The secondary objective was to know the perception of the legally responsible person and the teachers about the PEP. This study was of semi-experimental type, and used a mixed method, using a combination of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample was composed of 40 students from the third year of the Elementary School from a State school in Porto Alegre, evaluated by DLA's footage and a Semi-Structured Interview. The PEP was based on the methodology of Postural Schools and lasted for nine weeks. The results showed improvement in in the execution of the DLAs: carry backpack (p=0.005), pick object from the ground (p=0.009), sit on a bench (p=0.001), and sit to write (p=0.001). In the DLA carrying objects no significant difference was found (p=0.467). Regarding the qualitative analysis, the lines of the legally responsible person and of the teachers have shown that students have made positive comments about the contents and the activities carried out during the program. Respondents perceived changes in the postural habits of the students and satisfaction with the proposal. It is concluded that the PEP was effective to improve the execution of DLAs and had a positive impact on the perception of the legally responsible person and the teachers of the students participating in the Program.
Keywords:
Posture; Health Education; Health Promotion