Effects of an 8-week selective corrective exercises program on electromyography activity of scapular and neck muscles in persons with upper crossed syndrome: Randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives: Postural disorders disturb muscle activity and lead to joint dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an 8-week selective corrective exercises program on electromyography activity of scapular and neck muscles in persons with upper crossed syndrome (UCS). Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Exercise evaluation was conducted in a laboratory setting. Participant: Study recruited 30 healthy males with UCS from university students, who were then randomly divided into the control group (age = 20.14 ± 1.71 years; height = 176.86 ± 4.7 cm; BMI = 21.20 ± 1.96 kg/m 2 ) and the exercise group (age = 21.44 ± 2.06 years; height = 174.2 ± 4.0 cm; BMI = 20.62 ± 3.9 kg/m 2 ). Main outcome measures: Electromyography activity of upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) was recorded before and after 8-week exercise program. Results: T-test results revealed that baseline activity of SA (P < 0.05), had increased while UT (P < 0.05) and SCM (P < 0.05) activity as well as UT/SA (P < 0.05) and UT/LT (P < 0.05) ratios had decreased. In connection with these finding the effect sizes were large. Conclusion: Eight week corrective exercises balance muscles activity and can be used to manage developing upper quadrant musculoskeletal disorders in person with UCS. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd