Immediate Effects of the Reverse Plank Exercise on Muscle Thickness and Postural Angle in Individuals with the Forward Shoulder Posture

Abstract

The forward shoulder posture (FSP) results from shoulders being pulled forward by shortened anterior shoulder girdle muscles. The objective of this study was to investigate the short-term effectiveness of the reverse plank exercise on parascapular muscle thickness and forward shoulder angle (FSA) in patients with FSP. Participants were divided into the FSP and non-FSP (NFSP) groups based on the observed angle between the horizontal line of the C7 spinous process and the acromion process. All participants performed a total of five sets of reverse plank exercises at 30 s per set. FSA and muscle thickness of the pectoralis major (PM), serratus anterior (SA), upper trapezius (UT), and lower trapezius (LT) were measured before and after the reverse plank exercise. The muscle thicknesses of the SA and LT, and the FSA, were significantly increased after exercise in the FSP group (p < 0.05). Muscle thickness of the PM and UT significantly decreased after the exercise. In the NFSP group, muscle thickness of the LT was significantly increased, and muscle thickness of the PM and UT were significantly reduced after exercise (p < 0.05). Upon using between-group analysis, there were significant differences between the FSA, SA, UT, and LT groups (p < 0.05). The reverse plank exercise has the short-term benefit of correcting and preventing FSP by increasing SA and LT thickness while decreasing PM and UT thickness. We believe that the reverse plank exercise significantly improved the ability to prevent FSP in FSP-related muscles and was beneficial in achieving optimal postural alignment.

Immediate Effects of Isolated Lumbar Extension Resistance Exercise (ILEX) on Spine Posture and Mobility Measured with the IDIAG Spinal Mouse System

“…The other immediate changes related to mobility, displayed as lower flexed lumbar mobility (fLM) and higher sacral mobility (fSM). Researchers have been investigating the immediate effects of exercises with the purpose to understand and find mechanisms that positively influence biophysical aspects of the body for years [ 23 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Without treatment, anomalies such as hyperkyphosis, hypolordosis, and mobility deficits can promote pathophysiological processes, leading to musculoskeletal pain conditions (e.g., low back pain) [ 32 , 33 ].…”

“…It is regarded as problematic for several reasons including the risk of disc degeneration, mobility deficits, and overall reduction in quality of life [ 14 ]. Among conservative treatments analyzing immediate effects, Koo et al (2022) found a positive postural adaptation in patients with forward shoulder posture (characterized by hyperkyphosis), following a five-set reverse plank protocol [ 27 ]. Other strategies with proven immediate corrective effects include taping [ 36 ] and the use of ortheses [ 28 ].…”

“…This effect could prevent exceeding segmental movement in the lumbar spine during forward bending and protect the passive structures from excessive stress. Studies including ultrasound-based measurements have shown that an increase in muscle thickness can accompany changes in kinematics [ 27 ]. Other studies with ILEX and ultrasound are underway to validate if a higher immediate muscle thickness of the multifidus could be the cause.…”