title: Lifting instruction to children in an elementary school.
abstract: Many people have advocated initiating back care education early in life because back pain and injuries are so common in the adult population. This study investigated the learning of a lifting technique and the risk factors involved in low back pain with 27 sixth-grade and 28 eighth-grade public school children. The students were instructed through verbal presentation, demonstration, and a practice session. Student performance was assessed with multiple choice tests and practical performance tests. Testing was administered prior to instruction, 2 days after instruction, and 6-7 weeks after instruction. There was a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in all postinstruction scores compared with preinstruction scores in both the multiple choice and practical performance tests for both grade levels. The effectiveness of a brief instructional session on some back care education principles to children was demonstrated. Preventive intervention programs with children could be easily implemented in elementary school systems. The long-term outcome of such programs needs to be evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 04005.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sheldon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016474:Weight-Bearing