Shortened muscles in kids

Reducing Shortened Muscles in 10-12-year-old Boys Through A Physical Exercise Program

December 2008Medicina Sportiva 12(4):115-123

Abstract and Figures

REDUCING SHORTENED MUSCLES IN 10-12-YEAR-OLD BOYS THROUGH A PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROGRAMME Janka Kanásová(A-G) Department of Physical Education and Sport Faculty of Education University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra, Slovakia Abstract Introduction: Shortened muscles, is one of the components of muscular misbalance that can have a dominant position in the development of muscular instability. Therefore, this is the focus of our research study a school population. We attempted to investigate the state of shortened muscles and implement stretching exercises to improve shortened muscle status by the school physical education. The work has been elaborated based on the pedagogical research. The purpose of this study was to obtain and expand knowledge regarding the prevalence of shortened muscles in 10–12-year-old boys within their physical education lessons. Material and methods: The subjects of our study group were 49 (forty-nine) boys from two primary schools in Nitra, Slovakia. Subjects were observed for a time period of two school years. During the 5th year of school there was no intervention and during the sixth years, we initiated a program of Physical Education lessons. In the childrens‘ fifth year of elementary school without Physical Education lessons and in 6th year with the experimental variable with the program of the school Physical Education lessons. Shortened muscles were examined using the method by (1), modified for the purposes of physical education practice by (2). We observed 11 muscles with the tendency to shorten, where muscles and muscle groups separately on the right and left sides were examined: m. trapezius, pars superior (upper part), m. levator scapulae, m. pectoralis major, m. iliopsoas, m. rectus femoris, m. tensor fasciae latae, lumbal joint adductors, hamstrings, m. quadratus lumborum, m. erector spinae, m. triceps surae. Results: We found a high prevalence of shortened muscles in the tested 10 –12 year-old pupils. In some muscles and muscle groups (hamstrings) up to 89%. The prevalence of shortened muscles in pupils in 5th year of elementary school at a standard contents of Physical Education lessons has markedly increased. In the same pupils in sixth grade, after implementing goal-oriented exercises focused on the removal of shortened muscles within the Physical Education lessons. After a year of implementation of the program we recorded favorable changes in the functional state of the motor system. The frequency of occurrence of shortened muscles, which ranked one to five, in boys decreased by 30 to 34%. Conclusions: Timely and appropriate initiation of a focused exercise program within the Physical Education lessons at school can positively influence the removal of shortened muscles.