The Effects of a Selective Corrective Program on the Scapula and Shoulder Joint Posture in Girls with Rounded Shoulder

The scapula influences shoulder performance. In fact, scapula posture has a direct relationship with scapula stability and muscular power. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of a training program on rounded shoulder abnormality (RS) and scapula posture in female students. A posture grid was used to select the girls with rounded shoulders (RS); 20 students with RS (10.78±0.7 years, 143.7±5.37 cm, 34.5±4.93 Kg) were randomly selected and completed the consent form. Rounded shoulder was measured by double square and inter-scapula distance by Vernier caliper. According to shoulder posture (the shoulder distance from the wall), subjects were divided into two control and experimental groups. To determine the strength of scapula stabilizers, lateral scapular test (LSST) was used. Experimental subjects performed the treatment protocol including stretch-strength training for six weeks, three days a week. Data analysis showed that rounded shoulder significantly decreased by 12% (p= 0.008) in the experimental group, but there was no significant difference in the control group (p=0.462). Inter-scapula distance in the experimental group significantly decreased by 9% (p=0.001), but there was no significant difference in the control group (p=0.177). The result of symmetry of scapula bones in zero and 45 degree angles in the experimental group was significant (p=0.028). The results showed that the selected corrective exercises improved rounded shoulder posture, distance and symmetry of scapula bones (the increase of strength of scapula stabilizers) of girls aged between 10 and 12 with RS.