• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.131-140
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• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out which shoulder abduction angle among the three representative angles of lower trapezius strengthening exercises most effectively improves rounded shoulder posture. Methods : Thirty-one people with rounded shoulders, the subjects of this study, were selected. With the use of a random number table, group A was randomly assigned to a Y-type exercise, group B to a T-type exercise, and group C to an MPC exercise. In the prone position, both arms are abducted at the angles suggested for each group (145 °, 90 °, and 45 °, respectively), and the hands are holding dumbbells to assume a functional posture. With the start signal, the thumb raised the arm to the sky and the arm is raised to the level of the ear for 10 seconds and then returned to the original position. Each week, the strength required was increased by changing the resistance weight, number of times, and set, and the exercise was performed three times a week for a total of four weeks. Results : There was a significant difference in the change in shoulder height of each group after four weeks of exercise in comparison to the amount of change in height before and after exercise in all groups (p<.05). However, no significant difference was observed between all groups in the change in muscle activity of the lower trapezius muscle in each group following four weeks of exercise (p>.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that the three lower trapezius strengthening exercises have a positive effect on the improvement of rounded shoulders. In consideration of these results, it is therefore proposed that the various lower trapezius strengthening exercises be applied in parallel during physical therapy for patients with rounded shoulders in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.358-364
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• 2014

Purpose: Flexed posture commonly increases with age in older women and is characterized by an excessive curvature in the thoracic spine (kyphosis), forward head posture, and decline in height. This study was conducted in order to determine the relationship between flexed posture, physical performance, and psychosocial factors in community dwelling elderly women in Korea. Methods: Fifty-two subjects with thoracic kyphosis of $40^{\circ}C$ or greater participated in this study. Flexed posture was measured using kyphosis angle (KA), forward head posture (FHP), and round shoulder (RS), and physical performance was evaluated using the short physical performance battery (SPPB), grip strength, and static and dynamic balance. Psychosocial factors were measured using depression and the quality of life (QOL). All data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software for windows. Results: KA showed significant correlation with SPPB score (r=-0.447) and dynamic balance (r=0.426) (p<0.05) depression (r=0.405) and QOL (r=-0.464) but not with grip strength and static balance in elderly individuals. FHP and RS showed significant correlation with SPPB score (r=0.002, r=-0341) and dynamic balance (r=-0.278, r=0.346) (p<0.05) but not with psychosocial factors. Conclusion: These findings suggest that flexed posture provides meaningful information about physical performance and psychosocial factors in elderly women. Our data suggest that the flexed posture may need to be addressed as part of the health management process for elderly women.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.113-124
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• 2002

The objectives of this study was to investiage the effects of sitting posture on carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) continues to be one of the most widely publicized maladies of the cumulative trauma disorder. Many studies have reported a positive association between CTS and highly repetitive work, high force, and poor posture. High force and repetitive work have especially been associated with CTS, but the evidence for work being a primary cause of CTS is strongest when these factors are combined. In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome, hand, wrist, and other disorders are attributed to these work-related movements. Such disorders are referred to as repetitive stress injuries, cumulative trauma disorder, overuse syndromes, and chronic upper limb pain syndrome. Incorrect posture also may play a role in the development of CTS in people who work at a computer and other types of keyboards. The tendency to roll the shoulders forward, round the lower back, and thrust the chin forward can shorten the neck and shoulder muscles, compressing nerves in the neck. This, in turn, can affect the wrist, fingers, and hand. The treatment and prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome continue to be approached with a segmental view of the human body. For example, the most common ergonomic solution for carpal tunnel syndrome associated with keyboard use is to keep the wrists in a neutral position by using a wrist rest in front of the keyboard and good sitting posture.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.667-676
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• 2021

Recently, adolescents in Korea are exposed to the risk of postural imbalance due to overuse of smartphones and lack of physical activity due to the amount of learning. In addition, the need for effective non-face-to-face exercise services is increasing due to Corona 19. With this in mind, this study proposes an exercise service using an EMG sensor to overcome the limitations of non-face-to-face services while providing the effect of improving round shoulders for adolescents. An exercise program that can improve round shoulders was constructed, and an application in conjunction with an EMG sensor was implemented to exercise effectively. The exercise program was configured to alternately exercise the target muscle area for 4 weeks, and the function to provide feedback was added by measuring the EMG values that change accordingly. Through this study, we intend to provide the basis for exercise-based posture correction digital service, and improve the unbalanced body through this, thereby promoting the possibility of health promotion.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2023

Background: This study was carried out to determine whether non-face-to-face physical therapy would have similar exercise effects to face-to-face physical therapy. Hence, we developed an approach for patients, unable to visit hospitals due to circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, to conduct physical therapy comfortably at home. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of a face-to-face and a non-face-to-face physical therapy treatment on improving a rounded shoulder posture. Methods: The participants with rounded shoulders were randomly divided into a face-toface group (n = 15) and a non-face-to-face group (n = 15), and each group performed exercises for four weeks. The exercise program consisted of the bare hands exercise, Thera-Band exercise, and foam roller exercise. The participants in the face-to-face group came to a designated place to perform their exercises, and those in the non-face-to-face group performed the exercises at their own home using Google Meet (Google). Acromial height, total scapular distance (TSD), shoulder pain and dysfunction index (SPADI), and pectoralis minor thickness were measured. Data analysis was performed using the R Statistical Software (R Core Team), and a normality test was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Results: There were no significant differences between the face-to-face and the non-face-toface groups (p > 0.05). When comparing the differences before and after the exercises, both the face-to-face and the non-face-to-face groups showed significant differences in acromial height, SPADI, and pectoralis minor thickness (p < 0.05), and both groups showed no significant difference in TSD before and after the exercises (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study support the results of previous studies reporting that shoulder stabilization exercise and pectoralis minor stretching training improves round shoulders. In addition, this study revealed that both the face-to-face and the non-face-to-face physical therapy treatments had therapeutic effects.