Download PDFsettingsOrder Article Reprints Open AccessArticle Physical Development and Postural Behaviors in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study by Francesca D’Elia 1ORCID,Rosario Ceruso 2,3ORCID,Giuseppe Giardullo 2,3,*,Angelica Delfina Picone 1,Vera Simoes 4ORCID,Tiziana D’Isanto 2 andGiovanni Esposito 2ORCID 1 Department of Human, Philosophical and Education Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy 2 Research Centre for Physical Education and Exercise, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy 3 Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy 4 School of Sport Rio Maior (ESDRM), Santarém Polytechnic University—Santarém & Rio Maior, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Children 2026, 13(5), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13050698 Submission received: 15 April 2026 / Revised: 10 May 2026 / Accepted: 14 May 2026 / Published: 19 May 2026 (This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Fitness and Health in Adolescents) Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Versions Notes Highlights What are the main findings? Flexed and asymmetrical sitting postures during academic and informal activities were significantly associated with back pain in children and adolescents. Gender differences emerged, with girls reporting a higher prevalence of back pain, while lifestyle factors (physical activity, screen time, sleep) showed no significant associations. What is the implication of the main finding? The results identify daily postural habits as modifiable behavioral determinants of adolescent musculoskeletal pain, expanding current theoretical models that emphasize multifactorial interactions. Findings support the development of targeted school-based interventions, including posture education, ergonomic adjustments, and structured movement breaks, to reduce cumulative spinal loading during adolescence. Abstract Background/Objectives: Musculoskeletal pain represents a frequent and increasingly recognized health issue during adolescence. During this developmental phase, daily habits such as prolonged sitting, sedentary behaviors and the adoption of non-neutral postures may contribute to spinal overload and pain symptoms. This study contributes to the existing literature by focusing on concrete postural behaviors in real-life daily situations, an aspect that is still underexplored despite its relevance for musculoskeletal health. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between daily habits, postural behaviors and the presence of back and neck pain. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 70 adolescents aged 10–20 years. Data were collected using the Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument for Children and Adolescents (BackPEI-CA), administered online. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests with effect sizes (Cramer’s V) were used to examine associations between postural behaviors, lifestyle factors, and pain outcomes, providing an inferential assessment beyond simple descriptive analysis. Results: Significant associations were found between gender and back pain, sitting posture during daily activities (writing at the desk and talking with friends) and back pain, with flexed or asymmetrical postures more frequently reported among participants with pain, and between back and neck pain (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings highlight the relevance of gender and daily postural behaviors as factors associated with musculoskeletal pain in adolescents. By identifying posture-specific behaviors linked to pain, this study provides preliminary evidence that can inform targeted preventive strategies and guide future research on modifiable daily habits in youth.
Physical Development and Postural Behaviors in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study
D’Elia Francesca;
2026
Abstract
Download PDFsettingsOrder Article Reprints Open AccessArticle Physical Development and Postural Behaviors in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study by Francesca D’Elia 1ORCID,Rosario Ceruso 2,3ORCID,Giuseppe Giardullo 2,3,*,Angelica Delfina Picone 1,Vera Simoes 4ORCID,Tiziana D’Isanto 2 andGiovanni Esposito 2ORCID 1 Department of Human, Philosophical and Education Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy 2 Research Centre for Physical Education and Exercise, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy 3 Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy 4 School of Sport Rio Maior (ESDRM), Santarém Polytechnic University—Santarém & Rio Maior, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Children 2026, 13(5), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13050698 Submission received: 15 April 2026 / Revised: 10 May 2026 / Accepted: 14 May 2026 / Published: 19 May 2026 (This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Fitness and Health in Adolescents) Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Versions Notes Highlights What are the main findings? Flexed and asymmetrical sitting postures during academic and informal activities were significantly associated with back pain in children and adolescents. Gender differences emerged, with girls reporting a higher prevalence of back pain, while lifestyle factors (physical activity, screen time, sleep) showed no significant associations. What is the implication of the main finding? The results identify daily postural habits as modifiable behavioral determinants of adolescent musculoskeletal pain, expanding current theoretical models that emphasize multifactorial interactions. Findings support the development of targeted school-based interventions, including posture education, ergonomic adjustments, and structured movement breaks, to reduce cumulative spinal loading during adolescence. Abstract Background/Objectives: Musculoskeletal pain represents a frequent and increasingly recognized health issue during adolescence. During this developmental phase, daily habits such as prolonged sitting, sedentary behaviors and the adoption of non-neutral postures may contribute to spinal overload and pain symptoms. This study contributes to the existing literature by focusing on concrete postural behaviors in real-life daily situations, an aspect that is still underexplored despite its relevance for musculoskeletal health. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between daily habits, postural behaviors and the presence of back and neck pain. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 70 adolescents aged 10–20 years. Data were collected using the Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument for Children and Adolescents (BackPEI-CA), administered online. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests with effect sizes (Cramer’s V) were used to examine associations between postural behaviors, lifestyle factors, and pain outcomes, providing an inferential assessment beyond simple descriptive analysis. Results: Significant associations were found between gender and back pain, sitting posture during daily activities (writing at the desk and talking with friends) and back pain, with flexed or asymmetrical postures more frequently reported among participants with pain, and between back and neck pain (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings highlight the relevance of gender and daily postural behaviors as factors associated with musculoskeletal pain in adolescents. By identifying posture-specific behaviors linked to pain, this study provides preliminary evidence that can inform targeted preventive strategies and guide future research on modifiable daily habits in youth.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
