The Effect of Pectoralis Muscle Stretching on the Resting Position of the Scapula in Persons with Varying Degrees of Forward Head/Rounded Shoulder Posture

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a stretching program for the pectoralis muscle will affect the resting position of the scapula in persons with varying degrees of forward head/rounded shoulder posture (FHRSP). A convenience sample of healthy participants (n=38) with varying degrees of FHRSP was utilized. Each participant was classified into one of three groups: mild FHRSP/control, mild FHRSP/stretching, or moderate FHRSP/stretching. Resting scapular position was measured using the DiVeta technique. Those in the stretching group completed a twice-daily pectoralis stretching program for 14 days. All participants' scapular positions were re-measured. An ANCOVA was completed to evaluate whether post-intervention differences in the TSD were present among the three groups of participants. There were no differences among the three groups before intervention. Differences were found in the TSD among the three groups after intervention: between the control and moderate FHRSP/stretching group (p<0.0005) and between the mild and moderate FHRSP stretching groups (p=0.05). Persons with moderate FHRSP demonstrate improved resting scapular position following a two-week pectoralis stretching program.