Abstract
Summary: Childhood is a stage of life during which occurs the fastest growth of bones and related muscle structures; their volume and length increases rapidly. A balanced exertion on the body as well as symmetrical work of the muscular system is essential for even growth.
This study points out the presence of functional disorders of the locomotor system already present in the school population, in which the increase trend has been demonstrated in the recent years. The survey involved 58 students aged 10-15 years, divided according to their age into two groups, younger and older students.
In each group, there were students who were actively involved in the sport of taekwondo (athletes) and students without this activity (non-athletes). Since taekwondo is a sport that requires high flexibility of the lower limbs, we assumed absence of shortened muscles in this group.
We assumed a low incidence of selected shortened lower limb muscle groups in the young probands, which has not been confirmed. The flexors of the knee joint showed the most significant shortening in participants - 40% in the younger students and 42% in the older students.
The results in the group of younger students were statistically insignificant with the level of significance of 5%, however, the results have been confirmed in the group of older students for knee flexors and hip adductors. We confirmed a lower incidence of selected shortened muscles in favour of the athlete students in both age categories.