Effect of Devised Simultaneous Physical Function Improvement Training and Posture Learning Exercises on Posture

Abstract

Poor posture in young adults and middle-aged people is associated with neck and back pain which are among the leading causes of disability worldwide. Training posture maintenance muscles and learning about ideal posture are important for improving poor posture. However, the effect of using both approaches simultaneously has not been verified, and it is unclear how long the effects persist after the intervention. Forty female university students were randomly and evenly assigned to four groups: physical function improvement training, posture learning, combination, and control groups. Four weeks of intervention training was conducted. Postural alignment parameters were obtained, including trunk anteroposterior inclination, pelvic anteroposterior inclination, and vertebral kyphosis angle. Physical function improvement training for improving crossed syndrome included two types of exercises: "wall-side squatting" and "wall-side stretching". The posture learning intervention consisted of two types of interventions: "standing upright with their back against the wall" and "rolled towel". A multiple comparison test was performed after analysis of covariance to evaluate the effect of each group's postural change intervention on postural alignment. Only the combination group showed an effective improvement in all posture alignments. However, it was found that a week after the 4-week intervention, the subjects' postures returned to their original state.

Keywords: crossed syndrome; physical training; posture; posture learning; sustained effect.

Figure 1

Posture evaluation.

Figure 2

Grouping and details of the 4-week programs.

Figure 3

Definition of posture improvement.