AIIMS examine reveals how ‘slouch-sit-scroll’ way of life is impacting well being of gadget-glued teenagers | Delhi Information

An AIIMS examine reveals Delhi youngsters are creating ahead posture, again ache, and diminished flexibility because of sedentary life and extreme display time

NEW DELHI: Slouching over telephones, sitting for hours in lecture rooms and skipping warm-ups earlier than sports activities — way of life habits like these are already exhibiting antagonistic results on the well being of Delhi’s youngsters. A brand new examine by AIIMS, funded by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), discovered that many schoolchildren aged 15–18 years are creating ahead posture, again ache, muscle tightness and diminished flexibility.

The two-year undertaking, which started in Oct 2023 and can finish this month, noticed 380 college students from two non-public faculties. Researchers reported frequent issues comparable to ache within the neck and shoulder area, decrease again ache, iliotibial (IT) band tightness, flat foot, ahead posture and decreased hamstring flexibility.

“These issues are rooted in today’s sedentary lifestyle — long hours on mobiles and computers, less outdoor play, no barefoot activities and even the decline of traditional postures like cross-legged sitting or using Indian-style toilets, which naturally build flexibility,” defined members of the analysis staff. The fundamental squatting and cross-legged sitting, they added, present self-stretching actions that assist keep pure flexibility — habits now lacking from most youngsters’ day by day lives. The undertaking—led by Dr Samarth Mittal, extra professor at JPNA Trauma Centre, AIIMS, with co-investigator Dr A S Moorthy, PhD, in-charge Physiotherapist, AIIMS Burns and Plastic Surgery Department—is testing whether or not physiotherapy interventions can reverse these traits. At its core, the examine goals to guage useful motion patterns and adaptability in youngsters and check the effectiveness of physiotherapy-based interventions in stopping sports activities accidents. Secondary targets embody measuring hamstring and decrease again flexibility via the Sit and Reach Test and correlating enhancements earlier than and after physiotherapy periods. Researchers mentioned noticeable enhancements emerged in the course of the 12-week intervention part. “We saw better movement patterns, increased strength and flexibility among students who underwent physiotherapy-based training. The 24-week follow-up is still underway,” mentioned the specialists. Doctors warning that the larger problem lies in altering on a regular basis habits. “Teenagers may not realise it, but their bodies are already reacting to a sedentary lifestyle. The earlier we act, the healthier their future will be,” the staff famous. They identified that straightforward measures — comparable to doing warm-up workout routines earlier than sports activities, spending time outdoor barefoot, lowering display time and even practising conventional postures like squatting or cross-legged sitting — can assist forestall years of discomfort later in life. Experts additionally really helpful integrating physiotherapy into the college curriculum to information college students throughout sports activities actions, guarantee correct coaching and stop accidents. “With systematic physiotherapy guidance from a young age, our country can not only improve adolescent health but also nurture sporting talent,” one of many investigators added. As the undertaking enters its ultimate 12 months, specialists consider its findings might have long-term implications for adolescent well being coverage. “This is not just about back pain today — it’s about preventing chronic issues tomorrow,” mentioned a member of the analysis staff, including, “Healthy habits learned in teenage years will protect these children well into adulthood.”