DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON SAGITTAL LUMBAR SPINE CHANGES IN STUDENTS OF THE FEDERAL EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF FLORIANÓPOLIS

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of sagittal lumbar spine postural abnormalities and associated factors among students in the federal educational system in Florianópolis. Methods: 288 adolescents (156 males and 132 females), aged from 15 to 18 years, who were students in the federal educational system in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, were evaluated. To gather data, photogrammetry was used following a specific protocol for postural assessment, and a questionnaire was used to identify the prevalence and frequency of pain, and the activities that triggered the problem. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics, Student's t-test for independent samples, chi-square test and Poisson's regression were used, with the significance level set at p<0.05 for all the tests. Results: The prevalence of low back pain was 49.3%, with weekly frequency in 43.1% of the sample. The prevalence of deviation was 53.8%, and 90.9% corresponded to rectification of lumbar curvature, and this affected males more frequently. A significant difference in lumbar angle was found between the sexes; higher prevalence ratios of postural deviations were found in the male group. Conclusions: The prevalences of low back pain and lumbar postural deviation were high, but the relationship between these variables did not present significance. The main causes of the lumbar pain were sports practice or vigorous activities and remaining in a seated position for extended periods of time.