engleski

SCOLIOSIS OF THE HEART – PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG FEMALE ADOLESCENTS IN GIRL'S DORMITORY SPLIT

According to WHO, the majority of adolescents do not meet the current guidelines of physical activity. Since physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour are the culprit for many noncommunicable diseses, the project „Scoliosis of the heart“ was designed to entice the girls to incorporate healthy habits during 66 days (the average for a new behaviour to become automatic). This project involved 90 adolescent girls in Girl's dormitory Split. Baseline evaluation of physical activity indicated that 15.5% of girls were excluded from mandatory physical education in school. School medicine specialists performed clinical evaluation of posture in 95.5% (n = 86) of girls. Among these girls they detected: abnormal posture in 59.3% (40 discrete postural assimetries, 8 postural kyphosis, 3 moderate to severe kyphoscoliotic postures), suspected scoliosis in 2.3%, while 2.3% had previously confirmed scoliosis and wore braces, and 1.2% had previously confirmed kyphosis and wore brace. All the parents received information about the posture and recommendations. Girls with suspected scoliosis and kyphoscoliotic postures were referred to physiatrist/orthopedist for further evaluation, along with those who wore braces for re-evaluation. All the girls received guidelines on requirements of at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily for this age group. Additionaly, 5.8% of girls received guidelines for healthy diet because of obesity. Five physiotherapists trained in DNS and Schroth therapy demonstrated body flow exercises in Girl's dormitory on three occasions, and supervised them to assure they used correct techniques. Coordinator of activities in Girl's dormitory held interactive workshops in order to encourage the girls to tackle their problems with physical inactivity and „routinitis“. They were presented with strategies on how to reinvent their life and daily routine through theory of small steps to their goals. In conclusion, using small, measurable goals and positive attitude, designated goals become achievable, thus contributing to physical, mental and social well- being.

physical activity, adolescents, health promotion

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