LITERATURE REVIEW ON POSTURAL EDUCATION

PERSPECTIVES FOR HEALTH PROMOTION AND INJURY PREVENTION

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Inadequate posture is a risk factor for the development of musculoskeletal injuries in children, representing a significant problem in preventive health. Postural education conducted by physiotherapy professionals is an effective strategy to promote correct postural habits, prevent injuries, and increase health awareness from childhood. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of physiotherapy interventions in postural education, highlighting their relevance in promoting health and preventing musculoskeletal disorders. Methodology: This is a narrative literature review, focused on scientific studies on the role of physiotherapy in postural education. The research was conducted in September 2025 in the SciELO and Google Scholar databases, using the descriptors: "postural education", "preventive physiotherapy", "prevention of musculoskeletal injuries", and "health promotion", in articles published in Portuguese and English. The research question was: “What are the effects of postural education strategies, applied by physiotherapy, on health promotion and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries?” The inclusion criteria were articles published in the last 5 to 10 years, in Portuguese or English, addressing physiotherapeutic interventions focused on postural education. The exclusion criteria were duplicate studies, those with an exclusively surgical or pharmacological focus, or those that did not involve physiotherapeutic intervention. After analyzing 100 articles, 93 were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria, then 5 articles were excluded for being duplicates and unavailable, leaving only two articles selected for this review. Results and Discussion: The two selected studies were conducted in Brazil in 2019 with school-aged children, but in different contexts: a formal school environment and a community health action. The first study, by Viçosa et al. (2019), evaluated 6th-grade students in a municipal school in the south of the country. Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were applied regarding musculoskeletal complaints and postural knowledge, in addition to the collection of anthropometric data and weighing of backpacks. The theoretical-practical intervention resulted in a significant increase in postural knowledge and awareness of adopting correct postures, contributing to the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries. The second study by Dos Santos Carneiro et al. (2019), conducted during a community event in Fortaleza, included postural assessment of children, guidance on posture, and kinesiotherapy exercises. The intervention prevented postural deformities and injuries, with family involvement and awareness of everyday risk factors, such as the use of cell phones and the way of sitting while watching television. Conclusion: Postural education, applied by physiotherapy, contributes significantly to the promotion of musculoskeletal health and the prevention of injuries in children. Interventions that combine theoretical guidance, practice, and family participation are effective in raising awareness about proper postural habits. Limitations include the small number of studies selected and the absence of research in other geographical contexts.

Keywords: Postural education, preventive physiotherapy, health promotion, prevention of musculoskeletal injuries.