Correlations of Postural Abnormalities, Height, Weight, and BMI with the Level of Physical Activity in Students

The rate of postural abnormalities, particularly among young individuals, is increasing. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the correlations of postural abnormalities, height, weight, and BMI with the level of physical activity in students. This descriptive correlational field study, included 2001 sixth-grade students from Yazd province (1000 boys and 1001 girls) who were randomly selected through cluster sampling based on the Morgan table. To conduct the study, the necessary data were collected through a questionnaire (to gather the participants’ anthropometric information, such as age, height, weight, gender, and the prevalence of postural abnormalities, including forward head posture, kyphosis, lordosis, torticollis, knock knees, bow legs, flat feet, crooked big toe, asymmetrical pelvis, scoliosis, drooping shoulders, elevated shoulders, and internally rotated shoulders) and a measurement registration form (sample questionnaires are provided in the appendix). A positive correlation was revealed between weight and winged scapula, bow legs, and internally rotated shoulders, and lumbar lordosis was negatively correlated with weight and knock knees, and flat feet (p < 0.01). Hyperlordosis was positively correlated with height and winged scapula (p < 0.01), and internally rotated shoulders (p < 0.05). Additionally, a negative correlation was found between the level of physical activity and winged scapula, knock knees, bow legs, flat feet, internally rotated shoulders, and lumbar lordosis (p < 0.01). Based on the findings of this study, physical education teachers should introduce students to various exercises and stretches necessary for correcting these abnormalities alongside regular physical activities.