Article

Proprioceptive afferent input from neck muscles plays an important role in
postural control. Forward head posture has the potential to impair proprioceptive
information from neck muscles and contribute to postural control deficits in
patients with neck pain. This study investigated whether induced forward head
posture affects postural control in healthy participants when compared to natural
head posture. Centre of pressure sway area, distance covered and mean velocity
were measured during 30s of static standing using a force platform with 25
healthy individuals (mean age +/- SD = 20.76 +/- 2.19 years) in 8 different
conditions. Base of support, eyes open or closed and natural or forward head
posture varied within these testing conditions. The majority of comparisons
between natural and forward head posture were not statistically significant
(p>0.05). This suggests that induced forward head posture in young healthy adults
does not challenge them enough to impair postural control. Future studies should
evaluate whether forward head posture affects postural control of individuals
with chronic neck pain.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS