| DOES A DESIGNED 8-WEEK TRAINING PROTOCOL LEAD TO IMPROVEMENT IN DORSAL KYPHOSIS AMONG ADOLESCENT ELITE GYMNASTS? |
| Paper ID : 1496-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
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Safoura Ghasemi *1, Masoud Golpayegani2, Vahid Ahmadi2 1استادیار گروه مهندسی پزشکی، دانشکده مهندسی پزشکی و مکانیک، دانشگاه صنعتی همدان، همدان، ایران. 2Department of Sports Physiology and Pathology, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: Dorsal kyphosis is a common postural deformity among adolescent gymnasts, often associated with upper crossed syndrome. It can impair spinal alignment, athletic performance, and long-term musculoskeletal health. Studies have shown that kyphotic posture in adolescents is linked to chronic pain and functional limitations, and targeted corrective exercises are essential for improvement (1,2). Given the physical demands of gymnastics and the sensitivity of adolescent growth, structured interventions are crucial.This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a designed 8-week training protocol in improving dorsal kyphosis among adolescent elite male gymnasts. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest and control group was employed. The statistical population included 35adolescent male gymnasts (aged 10–14) with kyphosis syndrome. Based on inclusion criteria—kyphosis angle >45°and >3years of training experience—20 participants were selected using G*Power software and randomly assigned to experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Kyphosis angle was measured using a 60-cm flexible ruler and calculated via the trigonometric formula: θ = 4 × arctan(2H / L). The experimental group underwent an 8-week training protocol (3 sessions/week, 80–130 minutes/session) including functional, balance, and strength exercises (FBS), while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests, with a significance level of α<0.05. Results: Paired t-test results indicated a significant reduction in kyphosis angle within the experimental group (p < 0.05). Independent t-test analysis also revealed a significant difference in post-intervention kyphosis angles between the experimental and control groups (p< 0.05), confirming the effectiveness of the training protocol. Conclusion: The designed 8-week FBS training protocol significantly improved dorsal kyphosis in adolescent elite gymnasts. These findings support the use of structured corrective exercise programs tailored to postural needs in athletic youth populations. The intervention may serve as a practical and evidence-based approach to reducing postural deformities and enhancing spinal health in young athletes. |
| Keywords |
| Keywords: Dorsal kyphosis, adolescent gymnasts, corrective training, postural improvement |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |
