o:28244 Evaluation of lower extremity posture of younger school-age children en Abstract: Economic development of countries in transition has indirectly led to a change in the quality and way of life, and has influenced the instruction of physical education in schools. One of the problems encountered in physical education les- sons is improper posture of younger school-age children. Monitoring posture status has an important role both in the prevention of deformities and in the smooth in- struction at this age. The aim of the study was to investigate lower extremity posture of younger school-age children with an average age of 7.34±0.38 from Belgrade. The evaluation was carried out on a total sample of 68 pupils divided into two equiv- alent subsamples: 34 boys and 34 girls. Non-experimental research design, more precisely, ex post facto design was used. The χ2 test was used to test the distribution of frequencies. The research results indicated the absence of gender-related statisti- cally significant differences (p>0.05) concerning the shape of legs (“X“ and “O“ type of legs), as well as the shape of foot arches. However, the results of the study are alarming, because 20.2% of participants have mild forms of knee deformity (16.2% “X“ type of legs and 4.4% “O“ type of legs), while 52.9% of the analysed sample have developed early stages of flat feet, which can significantly compromise physical ed- ucation classes in the future. It can be assumed that this is a consequence of insuffi- cient physical activity, insufficient engagement of the muscles of the lower extremity, genetic predisposition (hereditary) and inadequate footwear in early childhood, as well as the lack of preconditions for exhibiting biotic motor skills in schools and the environment in which they grow up. Key words: evaluation, legs, foot arches, gender, differences, physical education 1552100 978-86-6301-039-0 2023-03-15T14:25:24.305Z 44 yes 46 Владан Пелемиш Универзитет у Београду Учитељски факултет 0000-0003-3461-0491 application/pdf 263125 https://phaidrabg.bg.ac.rs/o:28244 no yes 1 70 92000001 11A42 The strategic directions of the development and improvement of higher education quality: challenges and dilemmas 153 162 Vranje : University of Niš, Faculty of Education ; Jagodina : University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Education 2020 https://pefja.kg.ac.rs/strategic-directions-20/