Background: The progressive digitalization of contemporary life, coupled with prolonged sedentary behavior, has contributed to the widespread occurrence of forward head posture (FHP) in the general population. Among the various exercise interventions aimed at correcting FHP, stretching exercises and proprioceptive training have garnered significant attention. Objectives: To investigate the effects of stretching exercises and proprioceptive training on craniovertebral angle (CVA), an indicator of forward head posture (FHP), and on the muscle tone of the suboccipital muscles. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either the stretching exercise group (n=15) or the proprioceptive training group (n=15), and each group underwent intervention three times per week for six weeks. CVA and muscle tone of the suboccipital muscles were measured before and after the six-week intervention, and the results were statistically analyzed for comparison. Results: Both groups showed a significant increase in CVA after the intervention (P<.05), with no significant difference between the groups. The muscle tone of the suboccipital muscles did not show statistically significant changes either within or between the groups. Conclusion: Six weeks of stretching exercise and proprioceptive training both resulted in a significant increase in CVA, demonstrating that both interventions are effective in improving FHP. However, neither intervention produced significant changes in the muscle tone of the suboccipital muscles.

Background: In patients with low back pain (LBP), weakened core muscles and impaired proprioception contribute to decreased spinal stability and LBP recurrence. Objectives: To investigate the effects of abdominal bracing exercises (BE) and kinetic link training (BEKLT) on pain, balance, and proprioception in LBP patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Sixteen adults with LBP were randomly assigned to a BE group or a BEKLT group. Both groups completed a four-week intervention (three sessions per week). Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), proprioception with the lumbar reposition sense test, and balance with the BT4 system. Results: Both groups showed significant reductions in VAS and proprioception error (P<.05), with no inter-group differences. In dynamic balance (limits of stability), the BE group improved in rearward, left, and right angles, while the BEKLT group improved in forward, rearward, and left angles (P<.05). A significant difference was observed in the forward leaning angle between groups (P<.05). For static balance, both groups showed significant reductions in trace length and C90 area (P<.05), with no inter-group differences. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both BE and BEKLT are effective interventions for reducing pain and improving proprioception and balance in LBP, with BEKLT providing additional benefits for dynamic balance.

Background: The spinal nerves, which start at the lumbar level, are connected to the nerve innervation in the knees. Currently, there is a lack of research on the treatment of knee pain through lumbar mobilization. Objectives: To investigate the effects of lumbar joint mobilization (LJM) and transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation (TENS) on proprioception and muscular strength in volleyball players with chronic knee pain. Design: Two group pre-posttest. Methods: A total of 26 professional volleyball players with chronic knee pain were allocated to the LJM (n=13) and TENS (n=13) groups. In the LJM group, grade III - IV amplitude was applied 3 times for 1 minute (80 times per minute) at the affected lumbar (L2-3) facet joint in the prone position. In the TENS group, the TENS treatment device was used to directly apply or 15 minutes to the area of chronic knee pain (100 Hz, 150 ㎲). Proprioception was measured by knee flexion and extension angles, and muscle strength was evaluated using an isokinetic test. Measurements were taken before and after interventions. Results: In the eye opened conditiond, proprioception significantly increased during both knee extension and flexion after LJM, while only knee extension was significantly increased in the TENS group. There was also a significant difference in knee extension between the two groups. In the eye close conditiond, proprioception was significantly improved only during knee extension in the LJM group, and the difference in knee extension between the groups was also significant (P<.05). The maximum torque of the affected knee joint was significantly improved at 60°/sec in both groups (P<.05); however, there was no difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the maximum flexion torque within or between the groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that LJM improved proprioception and muscular strength in volleyball players with chronic knee pain.