Spinal curvature in female and male university students with prolonged bouts of sedentary behaviour

Abstract

Abstract Background: seated behaviour and a lack of physical activity among university students may cause changes to posture leading to health problems. We were interested whether between-gender differences in spinal curvature exist among university students with a predominantly sedentary lifestyle. Methods: a group of 20 female (age 20 ± 0.73 years) and 39 male (age 20 ± 1.08 years) university students with a predominantly sedentary lifestyle participated in the study. The thoracic and lumbar curvature was evaluated while standing and sitting using the Spinal Mouse. Results: showed that 10% of the female students and 30.77% of the male students had thoracic hyperkyphosis, while 10% of the female students and 2.56% of the male students suffered from lumbar hyperlordosis in the standing posture. In the sitting posture, 0% of the females and up to 30.77% of the males had mild thoracic hyperkyphosis, and 25.00% of the females and 23.90% of the males had mild lumbar hyperkyphosis. Conclusions: these findings indicate that differences between the sexes as regards to curvature of the spine exist. Prolonged sitting during university courses could contribute to their poor posture. It is therefore necessary to focus purposefully on compensation exercises that eliminate postural deviations in female and male young adults.