RESEARCH PAPER
SPINE CURVATURE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL:
A PILOT STUDY IN YOUNG ADULTS
1
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Care, University of Presov, Slovakia
Submission date: 2025-05-16
Final revision date: 2025-07-02
Acceptance date: 2025-08-21
Publication date: 2025-09-17
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Background:
The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the status of spine curvature and the level of physical activity in physiotherapy students.
Material and methods:
The study included 47 participants with an average age of 20.34±1.3 years, 38 women and 9 men. The Spinal Mouse® diagnostic device and the IPAQ-LF questionnaire were used in the study. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Jamovi 2.3.28 software.
Results:
Hyperkyphosis presence in the thoracic region was found in 19.1% of cases, physiological spine curvature in 74.5% of cases, and hypokyphosis in 6.4% of cases. Most respondents showed a high or average level of physical activity; however, 25.5% of students had a low level of physical activity. Differences in spine curvature in groups with different levels of physical activity were not significant (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
There is no significant difference of spine curvature in variable physical activity level. According to the research results, the physical activity level does not affect spine curvature.
The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the status of spine curvature and the level of physical activity in physiotherapy students.
Material and methods:
The study included 47 participants with an average age of 20.34±1.3 years, 38 women and 9 men. The Spinal Mouse® diagnostic device and the IPAQ-LF questionnaire were used in the study. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Jamovi 2.3.28 software.
Results:
Hyperkyphosis presence in the thoracic region was found in 19.1% of cases, physiological spine curvature in 74.5% of cases, and hypokyphosis in 6.4% of cases. Most respondents showed a high or average level of physical activity; however, 25.5% of students had a low level of physical activity. Differences in spine curvature in groups with different levels of physical activity were not significant (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
There is no significant difference of spine curvature in variable physical activity level. According to the research results, the physical activity level does not affect spine curvature.
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