The effect of a 12-week corrective exercises program on Forward head and shoulder deformities

Change in the proper alignment of head on the body and subsequently in the cervical and glenohumeral joints is one of the risk factors reported in the previous studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a 12-week corrective exercises program on forward head (FH) and forward shoulder (FSh) deformities. Forty subjects (20 males، 20 females) with excessive FH (>46º) and FSh (>52º) angles were chosen as samples using purposive sampling method. The average of age، weight and height of the samples were 21. 08±1. 67 years، 63. 23±12. 70 kg، and 170. 21±10. 21 cm respectively. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 20 experimental and control groups. Photogrammetric method technique was used to measure the angles of the FH and FSh. Data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative (Paired sample t test) statistical methods. The results demonstrated a significant decrease in the angles of forward head and shoulder in the experimental group. Also، the Cohen’s effect size of the exercise program was “large”. Therefore، using this program is recommended in subjects with these deformities.