AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of complex training on children with the deformities including forward head, rounded shoulder posture, and lumbar lordosis. The complex training program was performed for 6 month three times per week. The complex training improved posture as measured by forward head angle (FHA), forward shoulder angle (FSA), and angle between anterior superior iliac spine and posterior superior iliac spine (APA). In the present results, complex training might overcome vertebral deformity through decreasing forward head, rounded shoulder posture, and lumbar lordosis and increasing flexibility in the children.
INTRODUCTIONSchool environment plays an important role in the sitting position (Koo and Lee, 2014; Syazwan et al., 2011). Children often sit with poor posture having their neck, shoulders, and back fixed for long periods during classroom lessons, and physical inactivity, repetitive static dynamic loading of the spine constitutes as a risk factor (Lee and Olga, 2013; van Gent et al., 2003). For this reason, neck pain was reported by 22% of girls and 11% of boys among adolescents (Grimmer et al., 2006). Recently, Clément et al. (2013) reported that degree of lumbar lordosis increases in adolescents (Clément et al., 2013). Furthermore, sitting lumbopelvic posture can alter activation of the deep cervical flexors, thus possibly influence deformity of neck and shoulders such as forward head and rounded shoulder postures (Falla et al., 2007).
The forward head posture of cervical musculoskeletal abnormalities is associated with the shortening of the posterior neck extensor muscles and tightening of the anterior neck muscles (Fernández-de-las-Peñas et al., 2006). This forward head posture leads to forward inclination of the head with cervical spine hyperextension by shortening of the upper trapezius, the splenuis and semispinalis capitis and cervicis, the cervical erector spinae and the levator scapulae musculature. Thus, forward head posture might be a consequence of neck and shoulder pain (Fernández-de-las-Penas et al., 2006).
Neck musculoskeletal disorder and cervical dysfunction are related to thoracic kyphosis and rounded shoulder posture (Quek et al., 2013). Irregular lower trapezius condition and serratus anterior positions by abnormal scapular tilt can lead to rounded shoulder posture in children and adults.
Also, the weakness of abdominal muscle permits an anterior pelvic tilt and a lordotic posture (Youdas et al., 1996). Many studies reported that lumbar lordosis and abdominal muscle function are related to each other (Polly et al., 1996; Youdas et al., 1996).
In this study, we investigated the effect of complex training on children with the deformities including forward head, rounded shoulder posture, and lumbar lordosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODSSubjectsForty children from KINESS growth and health center were participated in this study. Subjects were divided into an exercise group (complex training) (boys=10, girls=10) and control group (boys=10, girls=10). The characteristics of the subjects for each group are presented in Table 1.
Postural analysisParticipants underwent postural screening to identify forward head, rounded shoulder, and lumbar lordosis. Posture was assessed using a digital camera (Ainfo USB Camera, SONIX, Seoul, Korea) and posture measurement program Cento (KEPC, Seoul, Korea). Forward head angle (FHA) measured from the vertical arterially to a line connecting the tragus and the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) marker. Forward shoulder angle (FSA) for rounded shoulder measured from the vertical posteriorly to a line connecting the C7 marker and the acrominal marker (Charles, 2010). Lumbar lordosis (ASA) measured from angle between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS).
Complex training programThe complex training program was performed for 6 month three times per week. The training program is presented in Table 2.
Data analysisSPSS for Windows software (version 12.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for all statistical analysis. Two-way repeated ANOVA was used to examine interactions between time and group and differences between groups. In the case of significant time by group interactions, paired t-test was used to evaluate differences between pre and post. Significance was set as P<0.05.
RESULTSForward head angleThe result of FHA changes is presented in Table 3. Two-way repeated ANOVA revealed that there was a significant effect of training (F=10.53, P<0.01) with significant interaction between time and group (F=32.89, P<0.001). The present results showed that the complex training group was remarkably decreased the FHA levels.
Forward shoulder angelThe result of FSA changes is presented in Table 4. Two-way repeated ANOVA revealed that there was a significant effect of training (F=4.39, P<0.05) with significant interaction between time and group (F=23.44, P<0.001). The present results showed that the complex training group was remarkably decreased the FSA levels.
Angle between anterior superior iliac spine and posterior superior iliac spine (APA)The result of APA changes is presented in Table 5. Two-way repeated ANOVA revealed that there was a significant effect of training (F=9.09, P<0.01) with significant interaction between time and group (F=11.12, P<0.01). The present results showed that the complex training group was remarkably decreased the APA levels.
FlexibilityThe result of flexibility changes is presented in Table 6. Twoway repeated ANOVA revealed that there was no significant effect of training (F=2.59, P=0.116) with significant interaction between time and group (F=8.29, P<0.01). The present results showed that the complex training group was remarkably decreased the flexibility.
DISCUSSIONPostural change occurs continuously throughout the entire time of ontogenesis, with critical periods at school age and puberty (Dolphens et al., 2012). Exercise used to improve weak musculature and stretching tight, forward head and rounded shoulder posture and lumbar lordosis. Several studies have shown that stretching exercise decreases the forward head, rounded shoulder posture, and lumbar lordosis through stretching. Charles et al. (2010) reported that the ideal posture showed lower levels of FHA and FSA. In this study, complex training decreased FHA, FSA levels. These results suggest that complex training ameliorated postural deviations, indicating that changes postural deviations can influence profoundly posture correction.
Lumbar spine problems are associated with low back or lower limb poor muscle development and hip or knee joint deformities (Glard et al., 2005). Pelvic tilt (APA) was measured using the angle between the horizontal and a line connecting the ASIS and the PSIS. This angle is influenced by the balance of muscular and ligamentous forces acting between the pelvis and adjacent segments (Preece et al., 2008). Previous studies reported that increased lumbar lordosis and diminished abdominal muscle force increased the risk of low back pain (Kim et al., 2006; Polly et al., 1996). In this study, complex training decreased the angle between right ASIS and PSIS, indicating recovery of neutral pelvis position.
The flexibility exercises were often used to improve lumbar lordosis caused by tightness in the levator scapulae, the sternocleidomastoid and the pectoralis muscle group. In this study, the complex training increased flexibility. These results suggest that complex training improve range of movement.
Based on the present results, complex training might overcome vertebral deformity through decreasing forward head, rounded shoulder posture, and lumbar lordosis and increasing flexibility in the children.
REFERENCESThigpen Charles A, Padua Darin A, Michener Loru A, Guskiewicz Kevin, Giuliani Carol, Keener Jay D, Stergiou Nichlas. Head and shoulder posture affect scapular mechanics and muscle activity in overhead tasts. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2010;20:1–8.
Clément JL, Geoffray A, Yagoubi F, Chau E, Solla F, Oborocianu I, Rampal V. Relationship between thoracic hypokyphosis, lumbar lordosis and sagittal pelvic parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Eur Spine J. 2013;22:2414–2420.
Dolphens M, Cagnie B, Vleeming A, Vanderstraeten G, Coorevits P, Danneels L. A clinical postural model of sagittal alignment in young adolescents before age at peak height velocity. Eur Spine J. 2012;21:2188–2197.
Falla D, O’Leary S, Fagan A, Jull G. Recruitment of the deep cervical flex-or muscles during a postural-correction exercise performed in sitting. Man Ther. 2007;12:139–143.
Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Alonso-Blanco C, Cuadrado ML, Pareja JA. Forward head posture and neck mobility in chronic tension-type headache: a blinded, controlled study. Cephalalgia. 2006;26:314–319.
Glard Y, Launay F, Viehweger E, Guillaume JM, Jouve JL, Bollini G. Hip flexion contracture and lumbar spine lordosis in myelomeningocele. J Pediatr Orthop. 2005;25:476–478.
Grimmer K, Nyland L, Milanese S. Repeated measures of recent headache, neck and upper back pain in Australian adolescents. Cephalalgia. 2006;26:843–851.
Kim HJ, Chung S, Kim S, Shin H, Lee J, Kim S, Song MY. Influences of trunk muscles on lumbar lordosis and sacral angle. Eur Spine J. 2006;15:409–414.
Koo JE, Lee KU. The relationships of elementary school students’ sports participation with optimism, humor styles, and school life satisfaction. J Exerc Rehabil. 2014;10:111–117.
Lee EO, Olga K. Complex exercise rehabilitation program for women of the II period of age with metabolic syndrome. J Exerc Rehabil. 2013;9:309–315.
Polly DW Jr, Kilkelly FX, McHale KA, Asplund LM, Mulligan M, Chang AS. Measurement of lumbar lordosis. Evaluation of intraobserver, interobserver, and technique variability. Spine. 1996;21:1530–1536.
Preece SJ, Willan P, Nester CJ, Graham-Smith P, Herrington L, Bowker P. Variation in pelvic morphology may prevent the identification of anterior pelvic tilt. J Man Manip Ther. 2008;16:113–117.
Quek J, Pua YH, Clark RA, Bryant AL. Effects of thoracic kyphosis and forward head posture on cervical range of motion in older adults. Man Ther. 2013;18:65–71.
Syazwan A, Azhar MM, Anita A, Azizan H, Shaharuddin M, Hanafiah JM, Muhaimin A, Nizar A, Rafee BM, Ibthisham AM, Kasani A. Poor sitting posture and a heavy schoolbag as contributors to musculoskeletal pain in children: an ergonomic school education intervention program. J Pain Res. 2011;4:287–296.
Table 1.
Table 2.Table 3.
Table 4.
|
|