Upper Body Posture Ada[Taion in Children

Biomechanical and Developmental Perspectives on Upper Body Postural Adaptations Among School-Aged Children: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

Age, body mass index, and modern technological influences predisposed to high prevalence of postural deviations such as forward head posture and thoracic hyperkyphosis, and rounded shoulders among school-aged children. The comprehensive integration of developmental and biomechanical perspectives on these adaptations is limited Upper-body postural adaptations reflect a complex interplay between developmental growth and biomechanical loading. Regular posture assessment in schools and clinical settings is crucial for early detection and culturally tailored prevention. Future longitudinal and cross-cultural studies are essential to establish normative postural values and clarify causal pathways across populations

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Forward Head Posture; Thoracic Hyperkyphosis
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: postural instruction

Detailed Description

This review aims to synthesize existing literature addressing age- and BMI-related upper-body postural adaptations and biomechanical loading interact to impact spinal and shoulder alignment, muscular strength, and postural control efficiency in school-aged children.

Methods: A structured narrative synthesis was conducted utilizing literature from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Inclusion criteria focused on studies involving school-aged children (6-18 years) that investigated head, thoracic, and shoulder posture, as well as muscle strength in relation to age, BMI, and lifestyle factors.

Age-related maturation influences spinal curvature, cervical alignment, and scapular positioning through evolving neuromuscular control. Elevated BMI alters load mechanics and mass distribution, increasing thoracic kyphosis, forward head posture, and shoulder protraction while reducing relative neck and shoulder strength. Obesity-related intramuscular fat infiltration and sedentary life style further impair postural stability and muscle performance

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 100

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Saudi Arabia
  • El Taif
    • El Taif, El Taif, Saudi Arabia, 8428
      • King Faisal Medical Complex

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

School-aged children (6-18 years) has forward head posture, kyphosis and rounded shoulder

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• school-aged children (6-18 years) has forward head posture, kyphosis and rounded shoulder

Exclusion Criteria:

• systemic disese scoliosis

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
forward head posture	one month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Lincoln University College

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): November 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 13, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 13, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): December 29, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 29, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 13, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: LUCMalaysia

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No