Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Exercise Physiology، Department of General Courses, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS) is a common postural abnormality in the elderly, characterized by muscular imbalances in the shoulder and neck region. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of corrective exercises using virtual reality (VR) glasses on this syndrome in elderly men aged 60–65 years.
Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted in 2024 on 30 elderly men diagnosed with UCS. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group underwent corrective exercises using VR glasses for 45 minutes, three sessions per week, for 8 weeks. The variables of forward head angle, forward shoulder angle, and thoracic kyphosis were measured at pre-test and post-test using a goniometer, a digital caliper, and a flexible ruler, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 16, employing paired t-tests and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: The results showed statistically significant differences between the two groups in the changes of forward head angle (P=0.001), rounded shoulder angle (P=0.000), and thoracic kyphosis angle (P=0.002) following the intervention. The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in all these measures.
Conclusion: Corrective exercises using virtual reality were found to be an effective method for improving postural deformities associated with Upper Crossed Syndrome in elderly men.
Keywords
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