Lifting instruction to children in an elementary school.

Many people have advocated initiating back care education early in life because back pain and injuries are so common in the adult population. This study investigated the learning of a lifting technique and the risk factors involved in low back pain with 27 sixth-grade and 28 eighth-grade public school children. The students were instructed through verbal presentation, demonstration, and a practice session. Student performance was assessed with multiple choice tests and practical performance tests. Testing was administered prior to instruction, 2 days after instruction, and 6-7 weeks after instruction. There was a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in all postinstruction scores compared with preinstruction scores in both the multiple choice and practical performance tests for both grade levels. The effectiveness of a brief instructional session on some back care education principles to children was demonstrated. Preventive intervention programs with children could be easily implemented in elementary school systems. The long-term outcome of such programs needs to be evaluated.