How to prevent the negative effects of prolonged sitting in schoolchildren

The modern school environment is often characterised by extended periods of sitting, which can lead to a variety of health problems in young people. Research has shown that prolonged sitting in school children can cause back pain, poor posture and even affect academic performance.

Lack of exercise in children

Children and adolescents should exercise or move for at least an hour every day, but many of them today fall short of this recommendation. Instead, they spend a lot of time at home in front of computers and TVs, which can have negative consequences for their health. There are several causes of lack of exercise in children. In the past, children used to come home at one or two in the afternoon, which gave them enough time to do their homework, play and do other activities. But nowadays, many children up to grade 5 are in extended stay, which means they return home at four or even half past six.

If they have extra activities, such as training or music school, they only have an hour or two before going to bed. Families often find it easier if children stay at home during this time, even if they are in front of the computer, instead of going out into the yard or playground. Parents should escort their children outside, at least until the third grade. Older children may not go out on their own if they are not used to it from a young age.

The key to children’s health

According to the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), just over 18% of adolescents in Slovenia are physically active, which is below the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations. Experts warn that physical activity is on the decline. Regular physical activity plays a key role in children’s development, health and general well-being. In addition to physical and motor development, it also affects cognitive abilities and prevents the early onset of chronic diseases and addictions.

Too much sitting

Survey data show that one in five adolescents spends more than four hours a day in a sedentary position during leisure time, with excessive sitting increasing with age. There is a trend towards excessive sitting, especially among girls, with one in three girls sitting for more than four hours a day in leisure time. Children spend more hours per day during the school year, both at school and at home. Data from the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) show that a good half of adolescents also spend hours sitting at home during the week, with around one in four playing video games for two hours or more a day. It is recommended to limit sitting to no more than four hours a day and to limit screen time to no more than two hours. Parents should also pay attention to the time children spend in the car and encourage outdoor activities.

Dynamic sitting for a healthy back and an active life

However, as sitting cannot be avoided to a certain extent, it is important to have a dynamic sitting pattern that combines relaxation and activity. Dynamic sitting is an innovative approach to maintaining a healthy spine. It activates the back and abdominal muscles, relieves the intervertebral discs and eliminates back pain, all of which contribute to improving physical fitness.

Two ways of sitting with the SpinaliS chair

The SpinaliS chair brings an innovative sitting design that allows users to choose between two sitting modes: active and relaxed. Despite the different modes, it supports correct posture, which is crucial for maintaining spinal health. Adjusting the position while sitting is easy, ensuring flexibility and comfort of use. When sitting in active mode, the SpinaliS chair’s centre seat maintains balance and activates key muscle groups. The back, abdominal and pelvic floor muscles remain active at all times, reducing the strain on the spine and preventing possible back pain.

When sitting in a relaxed way, leaning gently towards the back of the seat and using the back support, the muscles experience a slight relief. Despite the relaxation, the body remains active as the flexible seat responds to movement, allowing optimum comfort and support for the body. The SpinaliS chair represents a revolutionary approach to modern chair comfort, while offering the benefits of active sitting that a fitness ball provides.