The effect of forward head posture on dynamic lung volumes in young adults: a systematic review

Abstract Purpose The study aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in pulmonary function between individuals with forward head posture and those with neutral head posture. Methods A systematic search was conducted using the ResearchGate, PubMed, and Scholar databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The eligibility criteria for the studies were that they investigated the relationship between Forward Head Posture (FHP) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and/or Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1). Results A total of four comparison studies and two correlation studies met the inclusion criteria for this study. Across these four studies, encompassing a total of 115 participants, the observed reduction range for FVC was between -0.25 L and -0.81 L, while the reduction values for FEV1 ranged from -0.16 to -0.93 L. According to the results of the correlation studies, a positive correlation was observed between craniovertebral angle (CVA) and dynamic pulmonary volumes. Conclusion The existing evidence indicates that FHP can potentially cause abnormalities in pulmonary function. In this context, it is suggested that individuals with FHP should be monitored for changes in pulmonary function.