Corrective Multisport Training

Background: Postural deviations of the shoulders, pelvis and spine are common in preschool and school-aged children and may contribute to musculoskeletal imbalance and pain. Corrective exercise and organised sport have each been shown to benefit posture, but the effect of combining them in a single programme has not been examined. Aim: To determine the effect of a nine-month corrective multisport (CMS) training programme on upper-body posture in healthy preschool and school-aged children. Methods: In a single-centre, parallel-group randomised controlled trial, 398 healthy children were randomised (1:1, block randomisation stratified by sex) to a corrective multisport (CMS) group or a control (CON) group. The CMS group completed two 60-minute sessions per week for nine months, combining corrective strength and stretching exercises with multisport activities (soccer, basketball, handball, tennis). The CON group continued regular physical education. Upper-body posture was assessed before and after the intervention with the Contemplas three-dimensional (3D) photogrammetric system (Templo software) by assessors blinded to group allocation.

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy preschool or primary-school children aged 4-11 years * No injuries within the past six months * No current acute illness, including Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) * No scheduled structured physical activity in the previous three months * Written informed consent from parents/guardians Exclusion Criteria: * History of neurological or musculoskeletal disorders * Clinical conditions that could affect balance, such as motor disorders * Respiratory disorders (e.g., asthma) * Developmental disorders * Heart disease, vision problems, or disorders of nerves or blood vessels * Clinically diagnosed postural deformities