PainScience.com • Good advice for aches, pains & injuries
bibliography*The PainScience Bibliography contains plain language summaries of thousands of scientific papers and others sources, like a specialized blog. This page is about a single scientific paper in the bibliography, Ruivo 2015.

The effects of training and detraining after an 8 month resistance and stretching training program on forward head and protracted shoulder postures in adolescents: Randomised controlled study

updated


Tags: self-treatment, strength, exercise, neck, stretch, treatment, head/neck, spine, muscle

PainSci summary of Ruivo 2015?This page is one of thousands in the PainScience.com bibliography. It is not a general article: it is focused on a single scientific paper, and it may provide only just enough context for the summary to make sense. Links to other papers and more general information are provided at the bottom of the page, as often as possible. ★★★☆☆?3-star ratings are for typical studies with no more (or less) than the usual common problems. Ratings are a highly subjective opinion, and subject to revision at any time. If you think this paper has been incorrectly rated, please let me know.

This experiment compared show small temporary improvements in the head-forward posture of a few dozen Portugese teens who went through a postural training program. They were back to their usual slouching selves several weeks later, but continued training might have made a more lasting difference (see Ylinen).

original abstract†Abstracts here may not perfectly match originals, for a variety of technical and practical reasons. Some abstacts are truncated for my purposes here, if they are particularly long-winded and unhelpful. I occasionally add clarifying notes. And I make some minor corrections.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 32-week resistance and stretching training program applied in Physical Education classes on forward head posture and protracted shoulder posture of Portuguese adolescents (15-17 years old). The detraining effects after a 16-week period were also measured.

METHODS: This prospective, randomized and controlled study was conducted in two secondary schools in Portugal. One hundred and thirty adolescents with forward head and protracted shoulder posture were randomly assigned to a control or experimental group. The sagittal head, cervical and shoulder angle were measured before and after a 32-week time intervention period. The control group (n = 46) did only the Physical Education classes whereas the exercise group (n = 42) received a posture corrective exercise programme in addition to Physical Education classes. A 16 week detraining period followed the 32-week.

RESULTS: Significant increase were observed in the cervical and shoulder angle in the experimental group following the 32 week-intervention period. After the 16-week detraining period no significant differences were observed in the three postural angles in the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS: The exercise intervention was successful at decreasing forward head and protracted shoulder in adolescents. Detraining period was not sufficient to reduce the overall training effects. This study supports the postural training and rehabilitation performed during Physical Education classes, with the aim of preventing and managing upper quadrant musculoskeletal pain.

related content

One article on PainScience.com cites Ruivo 2015 as a source:

This page is part of the PainScience BIBLIOGRAPHY, which contains plain language summaries of thousands of scientific papers & others sources. It’s like a highly specialized blog. A few highlights: