Abstract

The Effect of Eight Weeks of Global Postural Corrective Exercises on Kyphosis and Forward Head Angle in Elderly Women with Age-Related Hyperkyphosis

Author(s):Behnaz Bahrekazemi, Amir Letafatkar and Malihe Hadadnezhad

Studies reported that, thoracic Hyperkyphosis may have negative effects in health status and postures of elderly women. The aim or current research was to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of global postural corrective exercises on kyphosis and forward head angle in elderly women with age-related hyperkyphosis. The mean age, height, and weight of the experimental group (n=16) were 68.5 years, 151.6 cm, and 55.4 kg respectively, whereas the values in the control group (n=16) were 69.1 years, 154.3 cm, and 54.6 kg, respectively, with no statistical differences between the groups. Forward head posture was measured lateral view photogrammetry and also thoracic kyphosis was measured using 2 gravity-dependent inclinometers placed over the spinal processes of T1 and T2 and over the T12 and L1 vertebrae before and after 8 weeks global postural corrective exercises. Results indicated that global postural corrective exercises significantly improved thoracic kyphosis (p=0.002) and forward head angle (p=0.003). It is concluded that the global postural corrective exercises developed in the present study can be recommended for improving the hyperkyphosis and forward head postures through specialized exercises focused on global postural corrective exercises in elderly women with age-related hyperkyphosis.

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