Adjustment of Postural Functions in Children of the Second Period of Childhood Using Vitamin D and Coordination Exercises

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been a steady trend towards the development of childhood hypodynamia, which leads to impaired gait, posture, foot placement, muscle balance in the lower extremities, and overall postural balance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of improving postural functions in children of the second period of childhood by increasing the serum concentration of calcidiol to an optimal level and performing coordination exercises. Materials and methods. The study involved 73 children (41 girls and 32 boys) aged 7 to 11 (mean age 9.1±0.5 years), who were divided into two intervention groups (with children from one group receiving vitamin D₃ for three months, and children from the other group receiving vitamin D₃ and performing coordination exercises for three months) and a control group, whose participants did not receive any interventions. At the beginning of the study and after its completion, all participants had their postural parameters measured using the methods of static stabilometry. Results. It was found that in groups A and B, as a result of the interventions, postural parameters significantly improved statistically, which was characterized by a decrease in the length, speed and area of the statokinesiogram, as well as a decrease in the energy expenditure for maintaining posture. At the same time, the greatest improvement of parameters was observed in the group of participants who took vitamin D₃ and performed coordination exercises. The findings indicate that the optimal final serum concentration of calcidiol, which ensures the highest effect on postural functions in children of the second period of childhood, is between 40 and 60 ng/mL.