The change of pelvis placement at children under influence of aikido training

Study aim: The aim of the paper was to examine the influence of aikido exercises on pelvis placement in the frontal plane at children. Material/methods: The subject of investigation were boys with asymmetry of placement of back hip spurs and with indication to apply heel pads on the side of pelvis lowering in the frontal plane. Also boys at whom the threat of slanting pelvis in the frontal plane due to scoliosis was recognized, were qualified for investigation. Altogether, 202 children in age 7-10 years participated in experiment and all of them were divided into three groups. The experimental group consisted of 68 boys who practiced aikido. The remaining ones constituted two control groups. The measurements were taken with Posturometre-S in 2002/2003 school year. Results: The pelvis position in frontal plane improvement has been the most significant in the experimental group. Conclusions: It was confirmed that practicing aikido improved pelvis placement in the frontal plane by reducing asymmetry of the back hips spurs and influenced the gradual reduction of heel pad insertions on the side of pelvis lowering in the frontal plane in the experimental group. At children with no indication for heel pads at the beginning of the experiment, aikido exercises resulted in the lowest percentage of heel pads indication in the experimental group. Similarly, at children without asymmetry of back hips spurs at the beginning of the investigation, the increase of asymmetry was also the smallest in the experimental group.