Prevalence of Upper Crossed Syndrome in College Going Students - An Observational Study

Abstract

Background: - Upper cross syndrome is becoming more prevalent in today’s population. Upper crossed syndrome refers to overactive and underactive muscles group in the neck and shoulder girdle. Our aim in this study is to check the tightness and weakness of neck and scapular muscles. Method: - 140 adults with age group between 17-23 years were randomly selected for the study. All the students were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Tightness for neck extensors & pectoralis major and minor were assessed with measure tape. Strength for neck flexors & scapular retractors were measured with hand held dynamometer. Analysis: - Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Mean and SD was analysed. Percentile method was used to find out the prevalence. Results: - Tightness of pectoralis minor and neck extensors was 9.30(1.92)cms and -2.42(2.70)cms respectively. Weakness of neck flexors and scapular retractors was 6.57(3.14) Kg and 7.11(2.70) Kg respectively. Prevalence of tightness in neck extensors was 65% Considering diagonal pattern (Neck extensors and pectoralis minor tight or Neck flexors and scapular retractors weak) prevalence was 2.8%. Considering parallel pattern (Neck flexors are weak and neck extensors are tight or Pectoralis minor is tight and scapular retractors are weak) prevalence was 2.8%. Conclusion: - Upper cross syndrome is found to be prevalent in college going students. Key words: Upper cross syndrome; Hand held dynamometer, Muscular Tightness, Muscular weakness.