The "One Voice Two Movements Project," carried out by the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education and contributed to by Üsküdar University's Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, has been implemented. As part of the project, the "Posture and Gait Disorders Pre-screening" applications, developed as a model for the first time in Turkey, have been completed in pilot schools identified on both the Anatolian and European sides of Istanbul. The project aims for the early detection and prevention of potential posture and gait disorders.
Detection of potential posture and gait disorders will be ensured…
As a result of discussions held within the scope of the project's collaboration, an education and advisory board was formed, including Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci, Head of Üsküdar University's Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation; Research Assistant Expert Physiotherapist Berna Karamancıoğlu; Research Assistant Expert Physiotherapist Beyzanur Dikmen Hoşbaş; Prof. Dr. Fuat Bilgili from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology; and Expert Physiotherapist Gaye Torna.
The early detection and prevention of potential posture and gait disorders are targeted.
Within the scope of the project, it is planned that posture and gait disorders, which families and children may not yet perceive, that develop over time, and are likely to cause more advanced discomfort, will be detected and recorded by trained physical education and sports teachers. Information will be provided to parents, and referrals will be made to relevant health institutions.
Applications were carried out in pilot schools…
In Üsküdar Altunizade Hafize Özal Secondary School on the Anatolian side and Bağcılar Akyiğit Secondary School on the European side, designated as pilot application schools, permanent physical education and sports teachers received training from experts in the physiotherapy and rehabilitation department, as determined by the education and advisory board, to practice measurement and evaluation methods.
Before the pre-screening planned for only 5th-grade students in the pilot application schools, informed voluntary consents were obtained from parents and students, and necessary information regarding the screening was provided. Subsequently, preparations for the pre-screening were made, and necessary materials were procured.
Students identified in the pre-screening will be followed up…
In the first phase of the study, the pre-screening conducted for 5th-grade secondary school students will ensure the detection of posture and gait disorders that families and children may not yet perceive, that develop over time, and are likely to cause more advanced discomfort.
Identified potential cases will be referred to the relevant health institution. The fact that the continuity of the detection and follow-up process in schools will be ensured by teacher reliability stands out as a significant gain. Under teacher supervision and in collaboration with families, the process can be observed until the student graduates. Furthermore, after the pre-screening, some students are planned to be referred to the Gait Analysis Laboratory of Istanbul University's Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology for detailed evaluation.
Training on corrective and preventive exercises will be provided…
In the second phase of the study, it is planned to provide "Corrective and Preventive Exercises" training to physical education and sports teachers who received pre-screening training. It is among the objectives of the study that, with expert opinion, some functional exercises be performed by physical education and sports teachers at certain intervals and intensity for all students in the screened class, including those identified with possible postural disorders; and that appropriate functional home exercises be communicated to families through parent meetings.
Evaluating the study, Istanbul Provincial Director of National Education Levent Yazıcı stated that the work will progress step by step in the coming period; he believes that good results will be achieved in the initiated project and extended his thanks to the stakeholders, contributing academicians, coordinators, administrators, and teachers.
Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci: “It will pave the way for Turkey-wide screenings”
Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci, Head of Üsküdar University's Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, commenting on the project, stated that the project, which they were happy to support as a university, would raise awareness for children, families, and teachers in terms of early detection and follow-up of posture and gait disorders. Emphasizing that the pre-screening in pilot schools was successfully carried out and that good results would be achieved by expanding to more schools throughout Istanbul in advanced stages, Demirci noted that, in line with the results obtained, the project would also pave the way for large-scale screenings across Turkey.