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
One page on PainSci cites Ruivo 2015: The Complete Guide to Neck Pain & Cricks
PainSci notes on Ruivo 2015:
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
- “Strength training and stretching versus stretching only in the treatment of patients with chronic neck pain: a randomized one-year follow-up study,” Häkkinen et al, Clinical Rehabilitation, 2008.
- “Dose-Response Relationship of Specific Training to Reduce Chronic Neck Pain and Disability,” Nikander et al, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2006.
- “Stretching exercises vs manual therapy in treatment of chronic neck pain: a randomized, controlled cross-over trial,” Ylinen et al, Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2007.
- “Effect of neck exercises on cervicogenic headache: a randomized controlled trial,” Ylinen et al, Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2010.
- “Active neck muscle training in the treatment of chronic neck pain in women: a randomized controlled trial,” Ylinen et al, Journal of the American Medical Association, 2003.
- “Effects of neck muscle training in women with chronic neck pain: one-year follow-up study,” Ylinen et al, Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 2006.
- “Neck muscle training in the treatment of chronic neck pain: a three-year follow-up study,” Ylinen et al, Europa Medicophysica, 2007.
- “Dose-Response Relationship of Specific Training to Reduce Chronic Neck Pain and Disability,” Nikander et al, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2006.
- “Effect of therapeutic exercise on pain and disability in the management of chronic nonspecific neck pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials,” Bertozzi et al, Physical Therapy, 2013.
- “Long-term effects of therapeutic exercise on nonspecific chronic neck pain: a literature review,” Cheng et al, J Phys Ther Sci, 2015.
- “Exercises for mechanical neck disorders,” Gross et al, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015.
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