Correlations between Cervical Lordosis, Vital Capacity, T-spine ROM and Equilibrium

Abstract

[Purpose] This study used radiometry to examine the effects of cervical lordosis and forward head posture (FHP) angles on vital capacity, equilibrium and ROM of the thoracic spine, and to explore the correlations between each of these factors.[Subjects]The subjects of this study were 36 college students in their twenties (male=16, female=20). [Subjects and Methods]Cervical lordosis angles and FHPs were analyzed with lateral view radiographs. Measures were taken of vital capacity, equilibrium and the range of motion of the thoracic spine and the results were analyzed. [Results]As the absolute rotation angle (ARA) decreased, the anterior weight-bearing angle (AWB) increased while vital capacity (VC) decreased. The results of this study indicate that as the range of motion of the thoracic spine from neutral to flexion increases, the ROM from neutral to extension also increases, and as the ROM from neutral to extension increases, the angle from flexion to extension also increases. [Conclusion]As faulty head and neck postures of subjects affected not only the dynamic stress of their neck but also their vital lung capacity, it is recommended that ARA and AWB angles should be considered when aligning posture in the treatment of impaired vital capacity.