Is Hamstring Length Associated with Forward Head Posture and Thoracic Kyphosis

The prevalence of postural abnormalities among adolescents has increased significantly due to sedentary lifestyles and prolonged screen time. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hamstring muscle length and common upper body postural deviations, specifically Forward Head Posture (FHP) and Thoracic Kyphosis (TK), in an adolescent population aged ۱۴ to ۱۶. A cross-sectional analytical design was employed, involving a sample of adolescents whose postural indices were meticulously evaluated. Hamstring flexibility was evaluated through the Active Knee Extension (AKE) test, while FHP and TK were determined by Goniometer and a Kyphometer, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient to determine the associations. The results revealed a significant negative correlation between hamstring length and both thoracic kyphosis and forward head posture angles ((p < ۰.۰۵)), indicating that reduced hamstring length was significantly associated with greater postural deviations, particularly increased forward head posture and thoracic kyphosis. These findings suggest that the body's myofascial continuity, particularly the superficial back line, plays a vital role in maintaining overall sagittal alignment. In conclusion, the length of the hamstring muscles is a contributing factor to the alignment of the head and thoracic spine in adolescents. Therefore, corrective exercise programs focusing on upper body posture should additionally include flexibility training for the posterior chain muscles to achieve more effective and sustainable results.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hamstring flexibility ، Forward Head Posture ، Thoracic Kyphosis ، Adolescents ، Postural alignment ، Myofascial chains