Effects of a Sling and Gym Ball Exercise Program on Postural Alignment and Lung Function in Adults with Forward Head Posture: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an exercise program using a gym ball and sling on posturalalignment, shoulder level, pulmonary and respiratory muscle pressure in adults aged 20 years and older. Design: Randomized controlled trialMethods: A total of 32 adults aged 20 years and older participated in the study. Participants were selected through a randomizationprogram and assigned to a gym ball exercise group (n=16) and a sling exercise group(n=18). Each group performed an exerciseprogram using either a gym ball or a sling. All interventions were performed 3 times a week, for a total of 3 weeks. To compareeffects, we measured craniovertebral angle(CVA), cranial rotation angle(CRA), shoulder level, forced vital capacity(FVC),maximum voluntary ventilation(MVV), maximum inspiratory pressure(MIP), and maximum expiratory pressure(MEP) beforeand after the intervention. Results: Both groups had no significant differences in CVA, CRA, and shoulder level at pre-test, and both groups showedsignificant changes from pre- to post-intervention(p<0.05). In the gym ball exercise group, there was a significant change in FVC,MVV, MIP, and MEP, except for MIP, between pre- and post-intervention(p<0.05). In the sling exercise group, there were significant changes in MVV, MIP, and MEP, except FVC, between pre- and post-intervention(p<0.05). Conclusions: An exercise program using a sling and a gym ball is an effective intervention with clinically significant effects inimproving postural alignment and pulmonary.