The Effect of Exercise Intervention on Forward Head Posture and Round Shoulder Posture in Symptomatic Competitive Swimmer

Competitive Swimmer, Swimmer's Shoulder, Forward Head Posture, Round Shoulder Posture

This study is an exercise intervention study, and its findings will help to clarify the effects of exercise on forward head posture and rounded shoulder posture in competitive swimmers. It is expected that the results of this study will assist in ensuring that forward head posture and rounded shoulder posture are taken into consideration when competitive swimmers undergo related exercise training in the future. The purpose of this experiment is purely for academic research and does not constitute a physical examination or a medical diagnosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. High school competitive swimmers
2. With shoulder pain: unilateral or bilateral shoulder pain who had a self-reported shoulder pain score of ≥ 40 points for at least one month, measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). VAS scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater pain.
3. With round shoulder posture (RSP): Forward shoulder angle (FSA) ≥ 52°.
4. With forward head posture (FHP): forward head angle (FHA) ≥ 46°.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. A history of fractures
2. Previous surgery to the upper extremity or shoulder joint
3. Full-thickness rotator cuff tears
4. Cervical radiculopathy
5. Shoulder dislocation
6. Structural deformities of the cervical or thoracic spine
7. Any neurological disorder