Avaliação postural em escolares do ensino fundamental de escolas públicas e privadas de Teresina - PI. Postural evaluation of elementary school students in public and private schools in Teresina - PI.

Introduction: Changes in postural diagnosed in children are usually found in the period of growth and development constitute a risk factor for irreversible spinal cord dysfunction in adulthood. Objective: This study aimed to assess the attitude of students of elementary education at public and private schools of Teresina - PI. Method: The study consis- ted of afield study analytical, observational, randomized 126 subjects attended public school and private, of both gen - ders aged between 8 and 12 years. Postural evaluation was made using the evaluation form entitled Postural Assess- ment Instrument (IPA). Results: Theresults showed that 92% of the total sample had some kind of postural change, and the protrusion and asymmetry of the shoulders more often observed in the two segments studied. It was demons- trated the presence of vertebral localized pains with different prevalence according to gender and nature of the insti- tution of school supplies and excessive weight was found only in private schools, a positive effect on the frequency of postural changes. Conclusion: The data presented showed a high frequency of postural changes in school, especially the shoulder region, suffering interference from excessiveweight of school supplies.