Effects of Exercise Programs on Upper Crossed Syndrome: A Systematic Review

SummaryKeeping the head in a forward position can, in the long run, cause a postural disorder termed upper crossed syndrome – UCS. Upper crossed syndrome is defined as overactivity, or tightening, of the upper trapezius, major pectoralis and levator scapulae, combined with a weakened rhomboid, serratus anterior, middle and lower trapezius, as well as deep cervical flexors. This posture can result in neck pain, as well as upper back pain. The syndrome has been exacerbated with technological advancement, and the ever-increasing use of computers and smartphones. It affects school-age children, university students, as well as employees who work in an incorrect position or repeat the same actions throughout their working day. Physical exercise, namely, strength and stretching exercises, is one of the possible methods of correcting this postural disorder. Therefore, the objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of studies to date in order to determine the effects of implementing different exercise programs on the treatment of upper crossed syndrome. The analyzed scientific papers were collected by searching online databases of electronic academic journals: Google Scholar, PubMed, Wolters Kluwer. The review focused on papers published between 2000 and 2019. Key words used for searching the databases included: upper crossed syndrome, effects, exercise program. Studies were included based on meeting the following criteria: examining the effects of different exercise programs on upper crossed syndrome, as well as on reducing neck and upper back pain, and improving functional ability. Based on the criteria set, a total of 15 studies were included in the final analysis. The final analysis established that upper crossed syndrome was affected most favorably by programs containing strength and stretching exercises, when these were administered over a 4-week period, with a minimum weekly frequency of 3 practice sessions.

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Adherence to and efficacy of home exercise programs to prevent falls: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of exercise program characteristics

Preventive Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.07.007 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 262-275 ◽

Cited By ~ 86

Author(s):

Emily M. Simek ◽

Lucy McPhate ◽

Terry P. Haines

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Home Exercise ◽

Exercise Programs ◽

Program Characteristics ◽

The Impact

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Acute Hamstring Injury Prevention Programs in Eleven-a-Side Football Players Based on Physical Exercises: Systematic Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10092029 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 2029

Author(s):

Adolfo Rosado-Portillo ◽

Gema Chamorro-Moriana ◽

Gloria Gonzalez-Medina ◽

Veronica Perez-Cabezas

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Hamstring Injury ◽

Football Players ◽

Injury Incidence ◽

Exercise Programs ◽

Warm Up ◽

Hamstring Injuries ◽

Physical Exercises ◽

Prevention Method

(1) Objective: To analyze the exercise programs used to prevent of acute hamstring injuries in eleven-a-side football players, and their effectiveness. (2) Methods: A systematic review (PRISMA) was conducted (2008–2020), including RCTs, that exclusively used physical exercises as a prevention method. (3) Results: Ten studies were selected considering 14 interventions, including nine different programs: FIFA11+ (11+), Harmoknee, eccentric Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) exclusively, with eccentric exercises, with stretching or with proprioceptive, New Warm-up Program (NWP), Bounding Exercise Program (BEP), the only one with no positive results, and proprioceptive exercises. Incidence of injuries and strength were the most considered variables, both with favorable evidences. Programs including NHE, which assessed injury incidence, were always effective. The 11+ program was effective in injury incidence and strength; NWP was effective in balance, stability, and strength. (4) Conclusions: The exercise programs discussed were effective to prevent acute hamstring injuries in football players except BEP and partially Harmoknee. Exercises mostly used to reduce the risk of hamstring injuries are those of eccentric force due to its functionality, especially NHE. Only concentric contractions and isometric contractions obtained significant favorable results. The most complete and promising programs were 11+ (in injury incidence and strength) and NWP (strength, balance, and stability). NWP was the best in strength.

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Systematic review of aquatic physical exercise programs on functional fitness in older adults

European Journal of Translational Myology ◽

10.4081/ejtm.2021.10006 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jose Fuentes-Lopez ◽

Ruben Vidal-Espinoza ◽

Fernando Alvear-Vasquez ◽

Lucila Sanchez-Macedo ◽

Dony Mamani Velasquez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Aquatic Exercise ◽

Functional Fitness ◽

Exercise Programs ◽

Exercise Frequency ◽

Pubmed Database

The practice of physical exercise is recommended in the prevention of the deterioration of neuromuscular functions in aging. The objectives of this systematic review were to describe the protocols used and the functional fitness indicators evaluated in aquatic exercise programs in adults aged 50 to 80 years. The Pubmed database was used. The keywords were: 1) Physical exercise program or protocols or duration or type of exercise or aquatic exercise, frequency or intensity or indicators; 2) Adults or older adults; 3) Training or indicators, functional fitness, physical fitness. The search strategy considered the components of the Population, Interventions, Comparators, Outcomes, and Study design (PICOS) tool. Nine experimental studies were identified. These studies developed protocols to improve functional fitness in adults aged 50 to 80 years. They were based on sessions of 2 to 5 per week, the work time per session was 30 to 60min, intensities varied between 50 to 95% and totaled between 4 to 24 weeks of intervention. The activities were based on aquatic gymnastic exercises aimed at muscular strengthening of the upper and lower extremities, as well as coordination, balance, agility, cycling and walking exercises submerged in water. The protocols developed to improve functional fitness in adults aged 50 to 80 years were based on general physical exercise prescription guidelines (frequency, duration, intensity and type of activity). The application of aquatic exercises based on gymnastic exercises can provoke positive responses on functional fitness if worked at least 2 to 5 times per week, 30 to 60min/day and at intensities of 50 to 95%. These systematized indicators can be used by professionals working with adults to create and promote aquatic programs to improve functional fitness.

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The Effectiveness of Exercise Interventions for the Management of Frailty: A Systematic Review

Journal of Aging Research ◽

10.4061/2011/569194 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 247

Author(s):

Olga Theou ◽

Liza Stathokostas ◽

Kaitlyn P. Roland ◽

Jennifer M. Jakobi ◽

Christopher Patterson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Exercise Programs ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Frail Older Adults ◽

Training Interventions ◽

Definition Of

This systematic review examines the effectiveness of current exercise interventions for the management of frailty. Eight electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials that identified their participants as “frail” either in the title, abstract, and/or text and included exercise as an independent component of the intervention. Three of the 47 included studies utilized a validated definition of frailty to categorize participants. Emerging evidence suggests that exercise has a positive impact on some physical determinants and on all functional ability outcomes reported in this systematic review. Exercise programs that optimize the health of frail older adults seem to be different from those recommended for healthy older adults. There was a paucity of evidence to characterize the most beneficial exercise program for this population. However, multicomponent training interventions, of long duration (≥5 months), performed three times per week, for 30–45 minutes per session, generally had superior outcomes than other exercise programs. In conclusion, structured exercise training seems to have a positive impact on frail older adults and may be used for the management of frailty.

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Effect of an Exercise Program That Includes Deadlifts on Low Back Pain

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.2020-0324 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Samuel C. Fischer ◽

Darren Q. Calley ◽

John H. Hollman

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Randomized Control Trial ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Low Back ◽

Exercise Programs ◽

Pain Scores ◽

Effective Option ◽

Randomized Control ◽

Functional Outcome Measures

Clinical Scenario: Low back pain is a common condition for the general population with 29% of adults having low back pain within the last 3 months. A deadlift is described as a free weight exercise in which a barbell is lifted from the floor in a continuous motion by extending the knees and hips. For those without low back pain, the deadlift was found to have the highest muscle activation of paraspinal musculature compared with other exercises. There are a limited number of studies that investigate the usefulness of incorporating deadlifts as part of a rehabilitation program for low back pain. Clinical Question: For those who live with low back pain, is an exercise routine that includes a deadlift a viable treatment option to improve pain and/or function? Summary of Key Findings: The literature search yielded 3 total studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria: 1 randomized control trial, 1 secondary analysis of a randomized control trial, and 1 cohort study. Exercise programs that include deadlifts can yield improvements in both pain and function for those living with low back pain but were not found to be more beneficial than low load motor control exercises. Those with lower pain levels and higher baseline lumbar extension strength may be most appropriate to participate in an exercise program that includes deadlifts. Further research is needed to compare exercise programs that include deadlifts to other interventions for those living with low back pain. Clinical Bottom Line: There is minimal evidence that exercise programs that included deadlifts are a clinically effective option for the treatment of low back pain for both pain scores and functional outcome measures. Strength of Recommendation: Level B evidence exists that exercise programs that include deadlifts are a clinically effective option for the treatment of low back pain for both pain scores and functional outcome measures.

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