Observing the effect of physical activity on forward head posture and rounded shoulder posture in young healthy adults.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effects of physical activity on forward head and rounded shoulder postures in healthy young adults. [Participants and Methods] We recruited 20 healthy young adults engaged in high levels of physical activity and 20 healthy young adults engaged in low levels of physical activity. Both groups completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to assess their physical activity levels. The scapular index (SI) was calculated to assess rounded shoulder posture, whereas the craniovertebral angle (CVA) was calculated to assess forward head posture. Differences in SI and CVA between the two groups were examined. [Results] There was a significant difference in the SI between the two groups, with the low physical activity group exhibiting a lower SI than the high physical activity group. However, there was no significant difference in the CVA between the two groups. [Conclusion] Our study showed that low physical activity levels in healthy young adults could negatively affect shoulder posture but not head posture. Therefore, regularly monitoring rounded shoulder posture in individuals with low physical activity levels is recommended for health considerations.

Serratus Anterior and Upper Trapezius Electromyographic Analysis of the Push-Up Plus Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

CONTEXT: Whereas the serratus anterior (SA) and the upper trapezius (UT) work as a force couple for scapular motion, weakness of the SA and overactivation of the UT are often present in overhead athletes with shoulder dysfunction. Therefore, researchers addressing an intramuscular imbalance between the SA and UT have focused on finding exercises that target the weak SA and minimally activate the UT. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of push-up plus (PUP) exercise variants based on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the SA and UT. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus between January 1, 2000, and March 31, 2008. STUDY SELECTION: Studies of PUP exercises that involved EMG analysis. DATA EXTRACTION: We assessed study quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program. For the systematic analysis, the following data were extracted: (1) author, year, and study design; (2) participant characteristics; (3) type of PUP intervention; (4) EMG outcome measures; and (5) main results. For the meta-analysis, the EMG data of the SA and UT were calculated using the mean difference of EMG activity with a 95% confidence interval. DATA SYNTHESIS: Based on 19 studies with 356 participants, different hand positions (the distance between the hands, shoulder-flexion angle, and elbow-flexion angle) and different lower extremity positions variably affected the activation of the SA and UT during the PUP exercise. Also, when participants performed the PUP on an unstable surface compared with a stable surface, UT activity increased 2.74% (95% confidence interval = 0.07%, 5.41%). CONCLUSIONS: The standard PUP exercise elicited high EMG activity of the SA. Participants generated higher SA and lower UT EMG activity when they performed the PUP exercise on a stable surface in full elbow extension, with the hands placed shoulder-width apart, shoulder-flexion angles of 110° or 120°, and the ipsilateral lower extremity lifted.

Kinesiology taping with exercise does not provide additional improvement in round shoulder subjects with impingement syndrome: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Round shoulder posture (RSP) may exaggerate symptoms of subacromial impingement. The effects of kinesiology taping with exercise on posture, pain, and functional performance were investigated in subjects with impingement and RSP. DESIGN: This study was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. SETTING: An outpatient rehabilitation clinic in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four subjects with subacromial impingement and RSP. INTERVENTIONS: Kinesiology taping with and without tension was applied 2 times per week for 4 weeks. Both groups also performed strengthening and stretching exercises 3 times per week for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The pain level, shoulder angle and self-reported score were evaluated at pre-intervention, 2-week post-intervention and 4-week post-intervention time points. RESULTS: Functional performance improved after intervention in both groups (p = 0.027). A greater decrease in pain level was related to better functional performance of the shoulder in both groups (r = -0.760 and -0.674; p < 0.010). Moderate correlations were found for posture and functional performance of the shoulder in the intervention group (0.48). CONCLUSION: Four weeks of strengthening and stretching exercises with or without kinesiology taping improved functional performance in subjects with impingement and RSP. Improvement in clinical symptoms was related to better performance of posture.