When a Hobby Isn't Enough: 'Sanus' Specialists Advise on Children's Activity Needs

Parents often find it difficult to determine if their child's physical activity needs are met by group classes or require specialized intervention. Julija Valiulytė, a pediatric physiotherapist at the Sanus center in "Ogmios mieste," explains that the key difference lies in whether movement develops smoothly without compensation or if there are noticeable disorders needing correction.

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It's worth consulting a specialist when you notice a child's irregular posture, asymmetry in the shoulders or pelvis, inward-turning knees, or flat feet. If young children frequently complain of pain, get tired quickly, or avoid physical activity, professional help should be considered.

"It's worth consulting a specialist when you notice a child's irregular posture, asymmetry in the shoulders or pelvis, inward-turning knees, or flat feet," Valiulytė advises. "If young children frequently complain of pain, get tired quickly, or avoid physical activity, professional help should be considered."

Individual physiotherapy is particularly crucial for conditions like flat feet, scoliosis, muscle imbalances, or after injuries requiring the restoration of correct movement. Valiulytė emphasizes that group activities, while beneficial for general fitness, often lack the individual attention needed to correct improper movement patterns. She notes a concerning trend of increasing movement problems among children, including posture issues, flat feet, coordination difficulties, and even spinal and joint pain, often linked to more sedentary lifestyles.

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Individual physiotherapy is particularly crucial for conditions like flat feet, scoliosis, muscle imbalances, or after injuries requiring the restoration of correct movement. Group activities often lack the individual attention needed to correct improper movement patterns.

Joana Dirmienė, the chief physiotherapist at Sanus, agrees that targeted movement is vital for the proper development of a child's skeletal and muscular systems, and it also benefits the brain by activating areas responsible for planning, coordination, attention, and concentration. Dirmienė also speculates that early childhood experiences during the pandemic might be contributing to these issues, observing slower development of gross motor skills and coordination difficulties in children born between 2019 and 2021.

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Targeted movement is vital for the proper development of a child's skeletal and muscular systems, and it also benefits the brain by activating areas responsible for planning, coordination, attention, and concentration.

Despite these concerns, both physiotherapists stress the importance of sports clubs and active camps for children without significant movement or posture problems. These group activities not only enhance physical skills like coordination and balance but also foster social cooperation, self-confidence, and a positive association with movement.

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Sports clubs and active camps for children without significant movement or posture problems are extremely important. These group activities not only enhance physical skills but also foster social cooperation, self-confidence, and a positive association with movement.