Comparison of the Effect of Functional Corrective Exercises and Corrective Games on Upper Cross Syndrome in 10-13 Year-Old Boys

Muscle imbalances in the upper quadrant of children occur due to improper physical posture for long periods of time in the school environment and misbehavior. This muscle imbalance can cause upper crossover syndrome. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of corrective functional exercise and corrective games on upper crossover syndrome in boys aged 10-13 years.

A semi-experimental study was conducted on 36 male students, aged 10-13 years, with upper cross syndrome, purposefully selected and randomly divided into three groups of functional corrective exercises (age: 11/50 ±1/16 years, height: 147±7/54 cm, weight: 38/67± 6/97 kg), corrective games (age: 11/33± 1/07 years, height: 144±6/86, weight: 36/75± 6/98 kg), and control group (age: 11.66± 1/07 years, height: 148/5± 6/48 cm, weight: 40/08± 5/64 kg). The first group performed functional corrective exercises for eight weeks and the second group performed corrective games during the same period. The control group was involved only in their daily activities. Before and after exercise intervention, the Forward head and Round shoulder were measured using lateral view photography. Also, a flexible ruler was used to measure the amount of kyphosis. To analyze the data, ANCOVA at the significant level of P≤0.05 was used.

The results showed a significant difference in forward head angles (F = 108/269, P = 0/001), round shoulder (F = 89/774, P = 0/001), and kyphosis (F = 94/026, P = 0/001) in the two groups of  functional corrective exercises and corrective games (P≤0/05). Also, there was a significant difference between functional corrective exercises and corrective games on the effect of forward head and kyphosis (P = 0/01) so that corrective games had more favorable effect. But no significant difference was found in round shoulder malformations (P = 0/239)

According to the results of the present study, to prevent and to correct upper cross cyndrome in children, functional corrective exercises and corrective games can be used. According to the favorable impact of corrective games and more consistency of these programs with physical and psychological characteristics of children, it is suggested that use of corrective games be prioritized for this age period.