Efectividad de la técnica de liberación de la fascia toracolumbar sobre la resistencia muscular del esternocleidomastoideo bilateral y el ángulo de anteposición de cabeza y cuello

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thoracolumbar myofascial release to increase the resistance of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle bilaterally and to decrease the angle of forward head posture in young women enrolled at the Autónoma University of Chile. Material and methodsThis longitudinal study was based on the immediate measurement (5minutes) of muscular resistance (seconds) through the fatigue test by means of surface electromyography in the bilateral sternocleidomastoid and analysis of the angle of forward head posture after the application of thoracolumbar myofascial release (TMFR). The 35 women evaluated met the inclusion criteria of female sex, age between 22 and 27 years, sedentary lifestyle, senior students of the Autónoma University of Chile, forward angle head posture between 43.8 and 51 degrees, body mass index indicating normal weight or overweight, and without spinal abnormalities. All participants provided written informed consent. ResultsAfter the application of TMFR, there were statistically significant and immediate changes in the muscular resistance of the sternocleidomastoid with an average increase of 27.4seconds (P<.05) and an average decrease in the forward head posture angle of 2.8 degrees (P<.05). ConclusionTMFR produces an immediate effect in increasing the muscular resistance of the bilateral sternocleidomastoid and reducing the forward head posture angle in young women with forward head posture.