The effects of balanced posture and postural changes have been evaluated in specific populations with different factors that can affect body postures and balance, such as age, musculoskeletal system, and other metabolic diseases. Studies on postural kyphosis and balance involvement are very few in the literature especially in the health population. Of the few studies that have evaluated kyphosis and balance, most are limited by small sample size and the exclusion of men. Many have focused primarily on the geriatric population. The determination that the effect of thoracic kyphosis posture on trunk biomechanical alignment may be related to balance may contribute to new treatment recommendations in this area. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the thoracic kyphosis posture has an effect on static balance.

Background:

Kyphosis is roughly a slight forward curvature of the spine. A slight kyphosis or posterior curvature is normal throughout the human body and is present in every individual. Hyperkyphotic is a kyphotic angle greater than 40° commonly measured on a lateral X-ray measured by the Cobb method between C7 and T12. Postural stability or balance is the ability to keep the center of mass within the boundaries of the support base. Moving the center of mass beyond the boundaries of the support base may cause postural instability and loss of balance. There are studies showing that kyphotic posture affects the center of gravity and affects fall in the elderly, but there are limited studies on the effect of balance in young individuals.

The Aim of This Study Is:

To study the correlation between the balance and severity of thoracic kyphosis will be investigated

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 and over willing to attend the study.
• For those who join the thoracic kyphosis group, individuals with a kyphosis angle ≥ 40 degrees.
• Individuals with a kyphosis angle < 40 degrees for the control group.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Spine trauma, surgery, bone pathology, arthritis etc. have a history of illness Kyphotic deformity types are rounded back, Scheuermann's disease, hunched back, flat back and Dowager hump.
• Any spinal deformity, bone abnormality, postural deformity and disc herniation with / without peripheral symptoms.
• Body mass index (BMI), which is an indicator of obesity, is more than > 30.
• Complaining of balance problems, coordination problems, other neurological or vestibular diseases that affect body balance and posture.
• Having any orthopedic or neurological disease that affects the body joints or the integrity of the musculoskeletal system.
• Use of any medication that can cause dizziness or drowsiness in the last months.

Fourty-six subjects who joined the study were healthy without any disease might affect balance, body posture, and denied a past history of vestibular disorders, syncope, seizures, or neurological disorders such as stroke or Parkinson's disease.

The study take place in Marmara university, Başıbüyük campus, between the period September 2020 to December 2020. Participants were recruited through online poster announcement, they directly contacted the primary investigator for booking an appointment. An appointment were made for the participants in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, Biomechanics and Performance Analysis Laboratory, Marmara University.