The effect of forward head on ankle joint range of motion and static balance

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of forward head posture on ankle joint range of motion and static balance. [Subjects] The study subjects were on 51 healthy undergraduates (22 males and 29 females) who had not experienced cervical or shoulder pains, or hospital diagnosis of musculoskeletal dysfunction in the previous four weeks. [Methods] The cranial vertical angle (CVA) was measured to investigate forward head posture, and the Tetrax Portable Multiple System (Tetrax Ltd, 56 Miryam Ramat Gan, Sunlight, Israil) was used to measure static balance using the stability test index (STI). Distal dualer-IQ (JTECH Medical, USA) was used to measure ankle joint range of motion. [Results] Cranial vertical angle had an influence on ankle joint plantarflexion, but no influence on static balance. [Conclusion] Forward head posture was shown to transmit tension to the ankle joint through the superficial back-line, one of the myofascial meridians connected to the fascia, which suggests that tension in the neck muscles influence the ankle joints.