Background and Aim: Postural abnormalities of the scapula and the shoulder regions predisposes individuals to chronic pain. Because of improper position of primary school students, who are growing, the risk of adopting abnormal postures is common. In order to establish appropriate strategies to prevent these impairments, having accurate information about them is necessary. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of postural shoulder impairments in 10-12 year old students in primary schools of Zahedan in 2005.

  Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty-three primary school students ranging between 10 and 12 years were recruited to this study through multiple-stage cluster sampling. In order to measure the symmetry of shoulders a checkered board having 1sq centimeter boxes was used and another one with a red line in the center for protruded shoulders. For the assessment of scapular symmetry, the distance between inferior angles of the scapula to the seventh thoracic vertebra was measured by using Kibler test at 0, 45 and 90 degrees of shoulder abduction. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software using descriptive statistical tests e.g chi square and Fisher’s exact test.

  Results: The level of dominant shoulder (89.7%) was higher than that of non - dominant shoulder in right - handed students. Scapular asymmetry was not at “0” (P=0.42) and “90” (P=0.3) degrees of shoulder abduction in dominant shoulders of right-handed students. Rounded shoulder was seen in 56.2% of students. In 61.6% of 10 year old students shoulders were protracted more than normal (P=0.002). No relationship was observed between writing activities at home (P=0.92) and at school (P=0.81) with developing rounded shoulder.

  Conclusion: It was found that long term standing of primary students at abnormal positions, because of flexibility of musculoskeletal system, leads to developing protracted shoulders. The results also support the effectiveness of instructing students in adopting correct postural position when carrying a bag, and while writing to prevent shoulder postural impairments.