The comparison of acromiohumeral distance and scapular dyskinesis prevalence in females with and without rounded shoulder posture

Altered scapular kinematics in individuals with rounded shoulder posture (RSP) may affect acromiohumeral distance (AHD). The purpose of this study was to compare AHD and scapular dyskinesis prevalence in individuals with and without RSP.

A total of 44 women (RSP, n=21; control, n=23) participated in the study. RSP was assessed by measuring acromion to table distance (ATD) in supine position and forward shoulder angle (FSA) using a camera and the AutoCAD software from the lateral side. According to these measurements, ATD more than 2.6 cm and FSA equal or more than 52° were considered as RSP. AHD was measured via ultrasonography with the arm at rest and 90 º of active elevation in scapular plane (scaption). Also, scapular dyskinesis was assessed by Uhl yes/no rating system. Independent and paired t tests were used to compare AHD between and within groups’ comparisons, respectively. Chi-square test was used to compare the scapular dyskinesis prevalence in individuals with or without RSP. The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software version 17. Significance level was set at 0.05

There were no statistically significant differences in participants’ AHD in rest position (dominant side, p=0.187, nondominant side, p=0.144) and 90° scaption (dominant side, p=0.144, nondominant side, p=0.182) in each side between the 2 groups. Also,  the results of chi-square test showed that there were not any significant differences  in the prevalence of scapular dyskinesis during  shoulder flexion (dominant side, p=0.653, nondominant side, p=0.541)  and shoulder abduction (dominant side, p=0.141, nondominant side, p=0.277) in individuals with and without rounded shoulder postures.

According to our results, RSD cannot lead to reduced AHD and higher prevalence of scapular dyskinesis.