Prevalência de alterações posturais em adolescentes: uma revisão sistemática da literatura

Abstract

Introduction: During the maturation of the musculoskeletal system in childhood and adolescence, several postural modifications occur in response to new balance demands caused by bone growth and the high mobility and flexibility present in this period. Inadequate postures may lead to postural alterations that, if not corrected, can persist into adulthood and cause pain. The literature lacks qualitative and quantitative data related to postural alterations in adolescents. Objective: To synthesize relevant scientific evidence published in the literature that qualitatively and quantitatively describes postural alterations in adolescents. Methods: A systematic review was conducted through searches in the PubMed, LILACS, CAPES, and SciELO databases, covering the period from 2000 to 2025. Twenty-two cross-sectional studies were included, with a total sample of 3,494 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, of both sexes. The risk of bias assessment followed the Joanna Briggs Institute criteria. Results: The main postural alterations in the sagittal plane were head and shoulder protraction, thoracic hyperkyphosis, abdominal protrusion, lumbar hyperlordosis, pelvic anteversion, and semiflexed knees; while in the frontal plane, the most frequent findings were right head tilt, elevated left shoulder and scapula, right trunk and pelvic tilt, genu varum, and adducted feet. Regarding the risk of bias, 40.9% of the studies presented low risk, 36.4% moderate risk, and only 22.7% showed high risk of bias. Conclusion: The compiled scientific evidence indicates that adolescents present a characteristic postural pattern in both the frontal and sagittal planes. PROSPERO registration: CRD42021246023