Body posture in young women involved in regular aerobic exercise

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of the study was an assessment of posture in women who regularly perform aerobic exercise. Methods. The study group consisted of 50 women actively participating in aerobics classes (mean: age 28.64 ± 5.3 years, body mass 59.83 ± 6.7 kg, height 167.75 ± 4.9 cm, BMI 21.24 ± 3.6 m/kg2) and a control group of 50 women not involved in any regular physical activity (mean: age 28.55 ± 5.05 years, body mass 62.47 ± 10.5 kg, height 167.74 ± 4.8 cm, BMI 22.26 ± 4.8 m/kg2). All participants were subjected to a photogrammetric assessment of posture. Results. Statistically significant differences in posture were identified between the two groups for lumbarosacral and thoracolumbar spinal curvatures. Conclusions. Women who regularly perform aerobic exercise present greater thoracic kyphosis and shoulder asymmetry than women not involved in aerobics.