The Relationship Between Forward Head Posture with Hand Grip Strength and Thoracic Kyphosis Among Young Adults

Yunis Akkaş; Ahmet Gökhan Acar; Serap Alsancak; Senem Güner

doi:10.18621/eurj.1843712

The Relationship Between Forward Head Posture with Hand Grip Strength and Thoracic Kyphosis Among Young Adults

Abstract

Objectives: Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural abnormality where the external auditory canal is positioned ahead of the shoulder joint’s plumb line. This study aimed to evaluate FHP’s impact on thoracic kyphosis, hand grip strength, and pinch grip strength in healthy adults.

Methods: Ninety-three healthy adults (18–25 years) participated, divided into two groups based on craniovertebral angle (CVA): the FHP group (CVA <45°, n=38) and the control group (CVA >45°, n=55). CVA was measured via photogrammetry. The thoracic kyphosis angle was assessed using the Goniometer Pro app. Hand grip strength was measured with a Jamar dynamometer, and pinch grip strength with a Baseline hydraulic pinch gauge.

Results: No significant differences were found between groups in thoracic kyphosis angle, hand grip, or pinch grip strength (P>0.05). CVA showed no significant correlation with these parameters in either group (P>0.05). However, in the FHP group, the thoracic kyphosis angle was significantly correlated with non-dominant hand grip strength (r= -0.324, P=0.047), dominant pinch grip strength (r= -0.350, P=0.031), and non-dominant pinch grip strength (r= -0.394, P=0.014).

Conclusions: Hand grip and pinch grip strength were not affected by FHP in asymptomatic young adults. No relationship was found between CVA and thoracic kyphosis. However, individuals with FHP and thoracic kyphosis angles above 40° may experience altered non-dominant hand function, potentially due to kyphotic changes.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was granted by the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Human Research Ethics Committee (Decision No: İ03-193-24; Date: 21.03.2024). This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments. All participants provided written informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank all participants who took part in this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Work and Occupational Diseases , Orthopaedics , Environmental Health

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Yunis Akkaş ^*
0000-0002-1566-3208
Türkiye

Ahmet Gökhan Acar
0000-0003-0731-6668
Türkiye

Serap Alsancak
0000-0002-3987-670X
Türkiye

Senem Güner
0000-0003-2557-4484
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

February 15, 2026

Publication Date

February 15, 2026

Submission Date

December 17, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.1843712

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA53YZ49CZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

AMA

1.Akkaş Y, Acar AG, Alsancak S, Güner S. The Relationship Between Forward Head Posture with Hand Grip Strength and Thoracic Kyphosis Among Young Adults. Eur Res J. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):1-10. doi:10.18621/eurj.1843712