Influence of forward head posture on pulmonary function in young adults - A Correlational study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Forward head posture is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders associated with abnormal neck posture. Young adults with daily activities of living involve static work for studying, slouched sitting, prolonged mobile or laptop use in which the body remains motionless for a long time to perform the work, which causes the neck and shoulder muscles to strain, causing most people to take the front head.

RELEVANCE OF STUDY: Since the muscles around the neck and shoulders are directly involved in breathing, their alignment ensures proper breathing. Irregularity in these muscles due to tension or weakness because of altered posture may interfere with breathing.

METHODOLOGY: A Cross-sectional study was conducted on 53 young adults. Subjects were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria by Convenient sampling Technique. Craniovertebral angle were assessed using Mb ruler software for forward head posture & PFT for pulmonary function was assessed. Statistical analysis was carried out using paired t test.

RESULTS: The statistical significance of correlation in study group was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient test which shows moderate positive correlation. The p-values was less than 0.05 which was considered to be statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: The study concluded that there is moderate positive correlation exist between cranio-vertebral angle and forced vital capacity as the cranio-vertebral angle decreases forced vital capacity also decreases.