Effect of forward head posture on thoracic shape and respiratory function.
Taiichi Koseki, Fujiyasu Kakizaki, Shogo Hayashi and 2 others
PMID 30774207WHAT IT FOUND
Assuming a forward head posture immediately reduced lung capacity and flow rates in 15 young men.
The lower chest became less mobile and shifted inward, restricting breathing. This is a short-term mechanical effect in healthy volunteers, not a diagnosis or treatment outcome.
Key findings
01Forced vital capacity, inspiratory and expiratory reserve volumes, FEV1, and peak flow rate were all significantly lower when participants held a forward head posture compared to a neutral posture.
02Mobility in the lower thorax during respiration was significantly reduced with forward head posture relative to neutral head posture.
03The study examined the immediate mechanical effects of posture on breathing in healthy young men, not the long-term health consequences or the efficacy of treatment.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (15 people) and consisted only of healthy young men, so results may not apply to women, older adults, or people with respiratory or musculoskeletal conditions. The study measured immediate, short-term changes in posture. It did not assess whether these changes occur in daily life or lead to long-term health problems. Markers were placed on the skin, which can move independently of the underlying bones, potentially affecting the accuracy of chest movement measurements. Diaphragm activity was not measured, so the study cannot confirm that reduced lower chest mobility was caused by diaphragm dysfunction.
Declared interests
The work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI and IUHW Research Grants. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret this as evidence that correcting forward head posture will treat respiratory disease. The study only measured immediate mechanical changes in healthy young men, not patient outcomes or long-term effects.