The relationship between forward head deviation and balance parameters in young females

Introduction: According to the importance of head alignment in general posture, it seems that deviationof head from neutral position can affect complex postural and equilibrium control. The purpose of thisstudy was to survey the relationship between forward head posture and balance parameters.Materials and Methods: Twenty females (mean age 20.36 years) with forward head posture and Twentyhealthy subjects without forward head posture (mean age 21.47 years) were placed in two groups. Thedegree of forward head posture was measured using plumb line and the cranio-vertebral angle in bothsitting and standing postures. Balance tests were performed on a force platform under conditions of doubleand single leg stance, eyes open and closed on foam and rigid surfaces. Parameters calculated from centerof pressure data were standard deviation of displacement and velocity in both anterior-posterior and mediolateraldirections, mean total velocity, standard deviation of total displacement and velocity.Results: The cranio-vertebral angle showed a significant difference between two groups in both sittingand standing postures (P<0.001). Women with forward head posture have more center of pressuredisplacement and velocity than women without postural deviations (P<0.05).Conclusion: Forward head posture can affect postural control and lead to motor control impairment.This balance impairment gets obvious especially in conditions that postural control will be challenged