ИСТИНА

The body posture estimation is rarely used in the auxological research. Nevertheless this important indicator of health reveals a new approach to the understanding of growth and proper physical development. The aim of present research was to compare the body posture in different children groups by analysis of the spine curvature. For this purpose we used a special anthropometric method Goniometry, implemented by direct measurements of the spine column deflection angles in the sagittal plane. 1675 female and 1163 male schoolchildren between 9 and 18 years old from Ulan-Bator (Mongolia), Elista (Kalmykia) and Archangelsk region (Russia) have been observed. In all groups boys are more round-shouldered than girls. The inclination angles of the backbone increase while growing. However Kalmyks and Mongols have straighter spine compared to Russian children. The highest difference was found for the thoracic kyphosis. Proposing several reasons for the detected traits, we should mention, first of all, the obviously existing difference between Mongoloids and Europoids as well. Also the large distinction in the ecological conditions, lifestyle and national traditions could determine the selection trend that had led to the specific body posture characteristics of Mongols and Kalmyks. *The study was supported by RFBR grant # 10-06-93165-Mong_а.