Effectiveness of Comprehensive Corrective Exercises Program on Kyphosis in Recreational Cyclists

June 13, 2024 updated by: Riphah International University

Effectiveness of Comprehensive Corrective Exercise Program on Kyphosis in Recreational Cyclists

My study aim to investigate the effectiveness of comprehensive corrective exercise program on kyphosis in recreational cyclists. Additionally, i want to investigate the post exercise effects on thoracic kyphosis angle, pain levels and thoracic ranges of motion. Our study on kyphosis in cyclists and what treatment plan could be best to minimize and treat the conditions which are affecting cyclist posture, daily life quality this is very rare study as there are no studies which explains such parameters, in these studies we will effectively describe comprehensive exercise plan to reduce kyphosis angle, increase thoracic roms, decrease pain levels and maintain good quality of life.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Sagittal plane deformity, another name for excessive thoracic spine curvature, is a postural condition marked by an unnatural increase in the thoracic kyphosis angle. This angle typically falls between 20° and 40°, but values of 45° to 50° or higher are thought to be suggestive of hyperkyphosis, increased kyphosis, or postural kyphosis. Because of spinal misalignment, excessive upper back curvature, or hyperkyphosis, can happen at any age.

Athletes are becoming increasingly concerned about kyphosis, an excessive forward curvature of the upper spine, particularly those who play sports like cycling that require a forward-leaning posture. Continuously hunching over the handlebars for extended periods when cycling can exacerbate this condition and result in discomfort, pain, and other problems. Long-term cycling postures can increase the risk of developing kyphosis by causing muscle imbalances, decreased spinal flexibility, and altered biomechanics. In addition to impairing athletic performance, these problems can result in chronic musculoskeletal disorders if left untreated. Sports medicine specialists and physiotherapists need to understand and treat kyphosis in cyclist's top priority as cycling becomes more and more popular. Sports requiring a forward-leaning stance, like swimming, cycling, and some track events, are more likely to cause kyphosis. Because cycling involves postural demands that can result in muscle imbalances and adaptations that increase the risk of kyphosis, cyclists are particularly vulnerable. In this context, the specific postural requirement of cycling includes forward leaning which is crucial for manageability and speed; in relation to kyphosis, this expresses a high degree of causality. This is especially evident during the long training sessions and the continued forward-leaning position in long bike rides that puts a constant stress on the thoracic spine leading to muscle imbalances and hardness in the thoracic region.

Corrective exercise can be defined as exercise that is designed to counter the effects of poor posture and can be effectively done by following the corrective exercise protocol that was created by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and has been proven to reduce forward head posture and enhance cervical proprioception which in turn will enhance the general spinal stability. Corrective exercise is needed in fixing postural and musculoskeletal problems. It is a comprehensive process that involves using one's hands to assess muscles and joints, especially for strength and weakness, evaluating one's posture and movement, and prescribing specific exercise regimens to help a client achieve the proper body positioning and function. Corrective exercise training is an advanced method that incorporates ways to avoid overused muscles, stretch short muscles, recruit weak muscles, and embed new movement patterns with the purpose of identifying movement dysfunctions. Besides, it is used in the rehabilitation, conditioning, and performance enhancement training for various impairments that may affect the body regions and flexibility, strength, neuromuscular coordination, and balance. Corrective exercise is an all-inclusive solution for individuals which addresses movement dysfunctions and assist in achieving the maximum physical capability and performance of an individual without causing injury.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

28

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Islamabad, Pakistan
        • Kulsum International Hospital Islamabad

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:● All male recreational cyclist aged below 40

  • Cyclists who are riding 1 to 2 hours per day minimum 3 days per week
  • Cyclists who have been cycling for at least 2 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • • All females

    • Elite or master category cyclists
    • Any spinal disorder or recent spinal pain or surgery
    • Any bone pathology or deformity
    • Any musculoskeletal injury
    • Any postural changes due to occupational work setup

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Comprehensive Corrective Exercise Program

Comprehensive Corrective Exercise Program includes following exercises.

Corrective Exercises+ Core strengthening exercises include Chin tuck Supine bridging on stable surface supine bridging with knee flexed on unstable surface unilateral lifting of arms and legs in crawling position Activation of transverse abdominous muscle. Unilateral arms and legs movements in siting position on unstable surface (ball) Cat and camel exercises Contralateral arms and legs movements in siting position on unstable surface (ball)

Stretching include Stretching of neck extensor muscle Stretching of pectoral muscle group in standing and supine position

Week 1st to 2nd: Corrective exercises +Core strengthening (2 sets 10 reps). Stretchings (30 sec hold, 3 reps).

Week 3rd to 5th: Corrective exercises +Core strengthening (3 sets 15 reps). Stretchings (30 sec hold, 3 reps).

Week 5th to 8th: Corrective exercises +Core strengthening (3 sets 20 reps). Stretchings (30 sec hold, 3 reps).

Active Comparator: Thoracic Exercise Program

Thoracic Exercise Program includes following exercises.

Extension exercises include Thoracic extension in kneeling position T W Y I thoracic exercise in prone position.

Mobilization includes Self-mobilization

Stretching includes Stretching of pectoral muscle group in standing and supine position

Week 1st to 2nd: Thoracic extension (2 sets 10 reps). Mobilization (60 sec 2 reps). Stretching (30 sec hold and 3 reps).

Week 3rd to 5th: Thoracic extension (2 sets 15 reps). T W Y I thoracic exercise in prone (2 sets 15 reps). Self-mobilization (60 seconds 2 reps). Stretching (30 sec hold and 3 reps)

Week 5th to 8th. Thoracic extension (3 sets 20 reps). T W Y I thoracic exercise in prone position (3 sets 20 reps). Self-mobilization (60 sec 2 reps). Stretching (30 sec hold and 3 reps)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Thoracic Kyphosis Angle
Time Frame: 4th week
thoracic spine curvature, is a postural condition marked by an unnatural increase in the thoracic kyphosis angle. This angle typically falls between 20° and 40°, but values of 45° to 50° or higher are thought to be suggestive of hyperkyphosis, increased kyphosis, or postural kyphosis.
4th week

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Visual Analogue Scale
Time Frame: 4th week
The 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS), that varies from 0 to 10 and 0 represents "no pain" to 10 as "worst pain imaginable," was used to measure the primary effectiveness outcome based on self-reported pain levels
4th week
Thoracic Ranges of motions
Time Frame: 4th week
Normal values of Thoracic Ranges of motions are as in Thoracic Flexion 50 degrees , thoracic extension 45 degrees, Side Flexion 40 degrees, and thooracic rotation 30 degrees
4th week

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Waqar Ahmed Awan, PhD, Riphah International University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

November 20, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

February 23, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

April 24, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 13, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 13, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

June 18, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 18, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 13, 2024

Last Verified

June 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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