Alperovitch Najenson D1, Kalichman L1, Lifshits T1, Wilk O1, Izbeshtsky M1, Juma'h H1
1Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Physical Therapy, Be'er Sheva, Israel
Background: Sedentary behavior is a lifestyle activity performed during a person's day, which does not increase energy expenditure substantially above resting levels. It is associated with increased risk for at least 35 chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, osteoporosis, cancer, cognitive dysfunction, depression, anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders. Sedentary behavior also negatively influences self-esteem, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, prosocial behavior, academic performance and cognitive development. Sedentary lifestyle has been common not only among adults but also among children. Sedentary habits start when posture is still evolving, therefore prolonged sitting affects the postural development of the child. Static posture in sitting implies isometric muscular contractions with acid lactic accumulation and compression of blood vessels, which results in awkward postures and cumulative effects as a result of repetitive disorders, affecting joints, ligaments, and tendons. Dynamic work is characterized by a rhythmic change of contraction and relaxation of the muscles. This is a favorable condition for the blood supply of the working muscles. It has been proven that sitting on a stability ball is a useful tool to correct posture and improve muscle strength, endurance, coordination, and flexibility. This leads to an enhanced physical functional capacity resulting from improvements in balance sense and ability by stimulating proprioception. Moving to a dynamic sitting has advantages, such as effectiveness and contribution to concentration and participation during class time. However, the effect of dynamic sitting on preschool children´s concentration and motor abilities is poorly understood.
Purpose: To determine whether there is a difference in fine motor accuracy and in concentration tasks between the use of static versus dynamic sitting, among preschool children.
Methods: A laboratory cross-sectional study. 33 preschool children completed six subtests based on fine motor accuracy, and 27 preschool children completed a 6 minutes concentration task. All were tested twice, with two weeks apart, while sitting on standard chair versus fit ball. Ages ranged from four to six. The differences of task performances between both sitting types were examined by Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test for all tasks, with a statistically significant difference at p 0.05.
Results: No significant differences were found in the fine motor accuracy nor in the concentration tasks between both sitting types. Further, no significant difference was found in the children´s self-comfort rating between the two sitting types.
Conclusion(s): A “correct sitting posture” for children does not exist since sitting is highly dynamic. Yet, children aged 8-12 were observed sitting in class statically for 85% of the time, 28% of which the trunk was bent or flexed forward. We recommend the use of fit ball regularly among preschool children, to significantly reduce their sedentary behavior time. Future studies are needed to better understand the long-term effects of dynamic sitting on children.
Implications: Schools represent an environment that has the potential to influence the physical activity and sedentary behavior of most children and youth.
Keywords: Sitting, dynamic, children
Funding acknowledgements: No funding
Purpose: To determine whether there is a difference in fine motor accuracy and in concentration tasks between the use of static versus dynamic sitting, among preschool children.
Methods: A laboratory cross-sectional study. 33 preschool children completed six subtests based on fine motor accuracy, and 27 preschool children completed a 6 minutes concentration task. All were tested twice, with two weeks apart, while sitting on standard chair versus fit ball. Ages ranged from four to six. The differences of task performances between both sitting types were examined by Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test for all tasks, with a statistically significant difference at p 0.05.
Results: No significant differences were found in the fine motor accuracy nor in the concentration tasks between both sitting types. Further, no significant difference was found in the children´s self-comfort rating between the two sitting types.
Conclusion(s): A “correct sitting posture” for children does not exist since sitting is highly dynamic. Yet, children aged 8-12 were observed sitting in class statically for 85% of the time, 28% of which the trunk was bent or flexed forward. We recommend the use of fit ball regularly among preschool children, to significantly reduce their sedentary behavior time. Future studies are needed to better understand the long-term effects of dynamic sitting on children.
Implications: Schools represent an environment that has the potential to influence the physical activity and sedentary behavior of most children and youth.
Keywords: Sitting, dynamic, children
Funding acknowledgements: No funding
Topic: Occupational health & ergonomics
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Ben-Gurion university of the Negev
Ethics committee: Recanati School for Community Health Professions
Ethics number: 2017-7.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
