| Ratio of Postural Changes in Schoolgirls With Upper Crossed Syndrome Following Corrective Exercises |
| Paper ID : 1281-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
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Parisa Azimi *1, Behnaz Ganji Namin2, Mohammad Hossein Naser Meli3 1MSc of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran, 2Assistant professor, Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran, 3Assistant professor, Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Karaj |
| Abstract |
| Abstract Introduction: Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS) is a prevalent postural disorder characterized by forward head posture (FHP), rounded shoulders (RS), and thoracic kyphosis (TK), resulting from systematic muscular imbalance. The growing use of digital devices and sedentary habits has markedly increased the incidence of UCS, which can lead to chronic neck and shoulder pain, as well as reduced respiratory, neuromuscular, and functional performance. Although corrective exercises are commonly prescribed, there is limited quantitative evidence regarding the extent of postural improvement after such interventions. Determining the ratio of measurable changes in FHP, RS, and TK is essential for assessing the effectiveness of corrective programs and predicting clinical outcomes. Methods: This randomized clinical trial with a pretest–posttest design included twenty schoolgirls aged 7–12 years diagnosed with UCS. Participants performed an eight-week corrective exercise program, three sessions per week. The forward head and rounded shoulder angles were measured using photogrammetry, while thoracic kyphosis was assessed with a flexible ruler. The change ratio was calculated by dividing the difference between pre- and posttest values by the pretest value (percentage). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Corrective exercises led to significant improvements in postural deviations. The greatest percentage reduction was observed in thoracic kyphosis (−10.87%), followed by forward head posture and rounded shoulders (−7.81%). No significant correlations were found among the ratios of change for these variables. Conclusion: The corrective exercise program effectively improved postural alignment in children with UCS. The varying magnitudes of improvement suggest region-specific adaptations within the kinetic chain. The absence of correlation among postural change ratios indicates relatively independent corrective responses across different body segments. |
| Keywords |
| Keywords: Upper Crossed Syndrome, Postural Change Ratio, Forward Head Posture, Rounded Shoulders, Thoracic Kyphosis, Corrective Exercise |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
