Formation of Posture in Children Aged 8–10 Years Through Kyokushinkai Karate Exercises

Background. Despite a wide variety of studies devoted to the search for means of prevention and correction of postural disorders, the number of children with musculoskeletal pathology is steadily increasing.

Objective. To study the effect of Kyokushinkai karate training on flexibility and the condition of the muscle corset in children aged 8–10 years.

Materials and methods. The study involved 20 children aged 8–10 years, divided into 2 groups: 10 children who had been practicing Kyokushinkai for no more than 2 months, and another 10 – a control group of children not engaged in karate. Using special tests, muscle endurance and spinal flexibility indicators were examined before and after the experiment. Only children with moderate postural disorders were included in the study. For assessing the state of the musculoskeletal system, the main method was somatoscopy. The training sessions were conducted by a coach-instructor together with the author of the study in the karate section 3 times a week. In addition, all karate children, under the guidance of their parents, followed recommendations for performing a set of exercises on rest days. These sets were selected individually based on the type of postural disorder and took about 20 minutes per day. Children in the control group engaged in extracurricular activities in terms of hours, as well as at home under the guidance of their parents.

Results. Against the background of training, positive dynamics in the formation of posture in children was observed in both subgroups. In karate children, the depth of cervical and lumbar curves began to correspond to the age norm. The changes were significant (p0.05). Insignificant positive dynamics were also revealed in the symmetry of the shoulder girdle.

Conclusion. Kyokushinkai karate exercises, as well as individual selection of additional recommendations for independent practice at home, have a positive effect on posture formation.

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