Petya Hristova
University of Sofia
https://doi.org/10.53656/str2021-5-7-sport
Abstract. For the past thirty years, there is a high incidence of postural and spinal disorders among young people worldwide as well as in Bulgaria. Currently, in Bulgaria, there is no legally assigned structure responsible for the regular screening and prevention of these abnormalities in the rising generation. In many Bulgarian universities in PE and Sport classes students practice one kind of sport. There are some sports, which are recommended in postural and early stages of spinal disorders, and others, which could worsen the condition. The study aimed to establish university students’ awareness of their postural/spinal status, and whether they experience the most common symptoms of postural/spinal disorders – pain, soreness, stiffness in particular parts of the body. The results show that almost half of 400 students have never been examined, and nearly 60% experience the typical postural/spinal disorders, symptoms. The authors recommend posture corrective exercise sets to be included in PE and Sport classes at universities as well as the reestablishment of legally assigned structure responsible for the regular screening and prevention of postural and spinal distortions.
Keywords: bad posture; spinal disorders; university students; PE and Sport classes; posture corrective exercises
