Publication details
Back-Carrying in Children Is Related to Lower Limb Development
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2022 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Children |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/2/263 |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/children9020263 |
| Keywords | back-carrying; lower limb development; tibiofemoral angle; Setswana children |
| Attached files | |
| Description | Back-carrying of children is a culturally accepted method of transport and safekeeping of babies in many cultures. Developmental consequences related to back-carrying practices have not been directly investigated. This study determined the relationship between frontal and transverse plane lower limb (LL) development, and back-carrying practices, in black Setswana-speaking children. In 691 2- to 9-year-old Setswana-speaking children, the tibiofemoral angle, intermalleolar distance, femoral anteversion angle (AVA) and tibial torsion angle (TTA), were measured to determine LL development. Back-carrying practices were recorded with a questionnaire and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) was used for the analyses. Significant (p < 0.001) relationships, between back-carrying practices and LL development, were discovered. Statistically significant greater genu valgum (F(5, 690) = 7.2, p < 0.001), greater internal TTAs (F(9, 684) = 17.8, p < 0.001), and smaller AVAs (F(13, 685) = 5.1, p < 0.001) were observed in children back-carried more frequently than children back-carried less frequently. There are relationships between back-carrying practices and LL development in both the frontal and transverse plane. However, the genu valgum, internal TTA and smaller AVA noted in more frequently back-carried children is still within normal limits, thus no educational intervention in back-carrying methods or durations is required. Further research should determine the exact back-carrying practice factors (age until which the child is back-carried) impacting lower limb development the greatest. |