Postural Education Programmes with School Children: A Scoping Review
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
It is more appropriate to give suggestions at the end of the summary.
It is stated that the articles were scanned in three languages. More suitable articles could be found if a search was conducted on the subject in other languages as well.
For example, studies on this subject in Turkey were carried out on children (7-17 years old) in primary schools. This is on children in Turkey.
Apart from the articles, theses and projects have been made on the subject.
In some places the same sentences are repeated. Such repetitions should be avoided.
Postural education programs in schools suggested in this study are also a good suggestion as an idea. But I think that there are similar programs in every country. For example, in Turkey, such practices are carried out in special sports centers where children with problems go for treatment. Some people invite private trainers to their homes. So there are different applications. For this reason, it is more appropriate to conduct this study by examining studies specific to each country, and finally to make classifications under common headings that categorize practices in similar countries.
These deformities (postural disorders) seen in children generally occur with unilateral physical loads. In addition to unilateral loading, excessive physical loads and activities with weight have a negative effect on children who do sports. For this reason, it is also important to include children who play sports in this study.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer
Thank you very much for your contribution in reviewing the manuscript. It helped us improve it.
Point 1: It is more appropriate to give suggestions at the end of the summary.
Response 1: We understand your comment. Indeed, we have introduced suggestions in the discussion and conclusions. However, we also think the whole abstract structure is coherent and reflects the present study. Therefore, we left the abstract in its current form.
Point 2: It is stated that the articles were scanned in three languages. More suitable articles could be found if a search was conducted on the subject in other languages as well.
For example, studies on this subject in Turkey were carried out on children (7-17 years old) in primary schools. This is on children in Turkey.
Response 2: The reviewed journal papers were scanned in English because it is the science international language. In addition, if papers are written in a certain language, often, the abstract, at least, is translated into English ​​to reach a wider audience. The Portuguese and Spanish languages were also scanned because they are the languages that we are most fluent in and can work on them.
Point 3: Apart from the articles, theses and projects have been made on the subject.
Response 3: Yes, we agree, but in this study, we decide to search peer-reviewed publications in databases.
Point 4: In some places the same sentences are repeated. Such repetitions should be avoided.
Response 4: We agree with your comment and we have made the change in the manuscript revision.
Point 5: Postural education programs in schools suggested in this study are also a good suggestion as an idea. But I think that there are similar programs in every country. For example, in Turkey, such practices are carried out in special sports centers where children with problems go for treatment. Some people invite private trainers to their homes. So there are different applications. For this reason, it is more appropriate to conduct this study by examining studies specific to each country, and finally to make classifications under common headings that categorize practices in similar countries.
Response 5: Although we consider it important to study the different approaches for the prevention and treatment of back problems in children and young people in different countries, this scoping review included articles focused on postural education programmes with school-age children and at school. Studies with other forms of intervention and in other contexts of the children’s lives can be considered in future studies.
Point 6: These deformities (postural disorders) seen in children generally occur with unilateral physical loads. In addition to unilateral loading, excessive physical loads and activities with weight have a negative effect on children who do sports. For this reason, it is also important to include children who play sports in this study.
Response 6: Yes, we agree and intend to address it in subsequent studies.
Best regards
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear Author, congratulations on your successful study. I recommend doing some minor revisions. This manuscript is suitable for publication after minor corrections.
Line 54: These sentences are too short to form a paragraph. It must be combined with the previous paragraph.
Line 85: Basic information is given in the introduction, but the transitions between paragraphs are very sharp. This information can be combined with more connected transitions.
Discussion: In the study, 11 postural education programs were analyzed, but the information about the practical applications (exercise applications) in the education program was not reported sufficiently. Information on exercise practices used within the scope of postural education should be given.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Dear Reviewer
Thank you very much for your contribution in reviewing the manuscript. It helped us improve it.
Point 1: Line 54: These sentences are too short to form a paragraph. It must be combined with the previous paragraph.
Response 1: We agree with your comment and changed it in the revised manuscript.
Point 2: Line 85: Basic information is given in the introduction, but the transitions between paragraphs are very sharp. This information can be combined with more connected transitions.
Response 2: We introduced transitional words between sentences in the introduction of the manuscript revision.
Point 3: Discussion: In the study, 11 postural education programs were analyzed, but the information about the practical applications (exercise applications) in the education program was not reported sufficiently. Information on exercise practices used within the scope of postural education should be given.
Response 3: In the manuscript revision, we introduced information about the practical practices and applications (exercise applications) of the postural education programmes.
Best regards
Reviewer 3 Report
The paper presents a meta-analysis of scientific studies with children and adolescents focusing on postural education programmes to promote sustainable healthy habits. The study is quite relevant in the context in which, in recent years, spine development disorders in children and adolescents have increased; all the more it is necessary to analyze to what extent the postural education programs are effective and under what conditions, to promote sustainable and conscious healthy lifestyles.
The paper has clarity, the presentation is detailed, and in a well-structured manner, following the PRISMA-ScR protocol.
The study's main strengths consist in the rigour of the review procedure ensured by compliance with the PRISMA-ScR protocol, which allowed the identification of the critical factors and gaps, and results of the implemented postural education programmes.
The paper’s results are reproducible based on the details given in the methodology section and the conclusions are consistent with the evidence and arguments presented.
The authors used relevant citations and there was not found an excessive number of self-citations.
Ethics statements and data availability statements are adequate
Author Response
Dear Reviewer
Thank you very much for your contribution in reviewing the manuscript.
Point 1: The paper presents a meta-analysis of scientific studies with children and adolescents focusing on postural education programmes to promote sustainable healthy habits. The study is quite relevant in the context in which, in recent years, spine development disorders in children and adolescents have increased; all the more it is necessary to analyze to what extent the postural education programs are effective and under what conditions, to promote sustainable and conscious healthy lifestyles.
Point 2: The paper has clarity, the presentation is detailed, and in a well-structured manner, following the PRISMA-ScR protocol.
Point 3: The study's main strengths consist in the rigour of the review procedure ensured by compliance with the PRISMA-ScR protocol, which allowed the identification of the critical factors and gaps, and results of the implemented postural education programmes.
Point 4: The paper’s results are reproducible based on the details given in the methodology section and the conclusions are consistent with the evidence and arguments presented.
Point 5: The authors used relevant citations and there was not found an excessive number of self-citations.
Point 6: Ethics statements and data availability statements are adequate
Response (point 1 to point 5): Thanks for all your comments about the relevance of the study, methodology, results, citations, ethics and data availability statements. We hope that future research on this issue may arise and together, we can promote the postural health of children starting at an early age.
Best regards
Reviewer 4 Report
The study is highly topical, and this is one of the issues that need to be urgently addressed in 21st-century schools.
The theoretical framework and the conclusion lack a better conceptualisation of critical aspects such as psychomotor skills and their connection with sport, music and the performing arts. The correction of body posture has to be done in a different environment than the current classroom. Otherwise, we would be forcing a corporal improvement in a static, sedentary and rigid educational space. In that way, improving body posture is not an isolated event that depends exclusively on systematic correction during a specific period since this approach needs to be revised, as observed in this study. On the contrary, body education has to be linked to motor work linked to flexibility, skeletal-muscular strengthening, improvement of the interaction space and teaching methodologies.
This study is the tip of the iceberg of a severe school problem associated with sedentary lifestyles and instrumental schooling, which needs to be addressed. This exploratory study is an initial survey to establish a diagnosis of the situation, which would allow us to continue researching this issue.
The use of English is generally adequate.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer
Thank you very much for your contribution in reviewing the manuscript. It helped us improve it.
Point 1: The theoretical framework and the conclusion lack a better conceptualisation of critical aspects such as psychomotor skills and their connection with sport, music and the performing arts. The correction of body posture has to be done in a different environment than the current classroom. Otherwise, we would be forcing a corporal improvement in a static, sedentary and rigid educational space. In that way, improving body posture is not an isolated event that depends exclusively on systematic correction during a specific period since this approach needs to be revised, as observed in this study. On the contrary, body education has to be linked to motor work linked to flexibility, skeletal-muscular strengthening, improvement of the interaction space and teaching methodologies.
Response 1: We agree with your comment, including the information and made changes accordingly in the revised manuscript.
Point 2: This study is the tip of the iceberg of a severe school problem associated with sedentary lifestyles and instrumental schooling, which needs to be addressed. This exploratory study is an initial survey to establish a diagnosis of the situation, which would allow us to continue researching this issue.
Response 2: Thanks for your comment. We hope that future research on this issue may arise and together, we can promote the postural health of children starting at an early age.
Best regards
