The Comparison of Scapula Position and the Endurance of Scapula Retractor Muscles in Hyperkyphotic and Normal Girls

The aim of this study was to compare the scapula position and the endurance of scapula retractor muscles in hyperkyphotic and normal female students. The method of this study was descriptive in nature and comparative. The method of subject collection was purposive. So, 60 girls (20-24 years old) who had no record of sport activities were selected as the sample and they were divided into hyperkyphotic and normal groups using Iranian thoracic hyperkyphosis degree norm. Scapula protraction degree and the endurance of retractor muscles in both groups were measured. The SPSS package version 16 was used to analyze the data. The results showed that scapula protraction degree in hyperkyphotic group was higher than normal group and the subjects of this group had lower muscular endurance in retractor muscles when compared to normal group. It can be stated that in hyperkyphotic group, scapula bones move away from its normal position and the endurance of retractor muscles decreases. It is recommended that corrective exercise programs include exercises to strengthen posterior shoulder girdle muscles and to make scapulas retracted (close to each other) in order to correct hyperkyphotic abnormality.