Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40775337›Full record

ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025

Gait biomechanics and postural adaptations in forward head posture: a comparative cross-sectional study.

Guohao Lin, Xiong Zhao, Zhihao Tao, Weijie Wang

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Guohao LinThe Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China. gylin@dundee.ac.uk.
Xiong ZhaoSchool of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
Zhihao TaoSchool of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
Weijie WangDepartment of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. wwang@dundee.ac.uk.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundForward head posture (FHP) is a common postural deviation in the sagittal plane. Despite the growing interest in FHP, research on gait biomechanics in individuals with FHP remains scarce. This study aimed to investigate gait biomechanics in FHP, with a gait performance-based craniovertebral angle (CVA) cut-off.

methodsForty-eight participants were included in the study, with CVA measurements used to assess head-and-neck posture. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected using a motion capture system during three walking trials at preferred speeds. Spatiotemporal gait parameters, joint angles, joint moments, joint powers, joint forces, center of mass (COM) trajectories, and COM-to-joint (knee and ankle) angles were analyzed. Time-series data were compared between the two groups using statistical parametric mapping to identify potential changes during the gait cycle.

resultsForty-eight participants were divided into control (n = 26) and FHP (n = 22) groups based on a CVA cut-off of 44 degrees determined by K-means clustering. There were no significant differences in spatiotemporal gait parameters between the control and FHP groups. However, the FHP group exhibited significantly increased trunk flexion during the loading response and initial midstance (2.21–14.50%, p = 0.047), as well as pre-swing and initial swing phases of the gait cycle (46.45–68.86%, p = 0.039). The COM-to-knee angle was significantly reduced during mid-swing in the FHP group (71.26–87.92%, p = 0.007). Additionally, significant differences in sagittal knee joint power and longitudinal joint forces at the knee and ankle were observed in the final stages of the gait cycle (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in COM trajectories or other gait parameters.

conclusionThis study identified phase-specific compensatory trunk flexion in individuals with FHP, despite preserved overall gait characteristics. A CVA cut-off of 44 degrees was proposed as a criterion for diagnosing FHP based on walking performance. These findings suggest that individuals with FHP employ specific biomechanical adaptations to maintain gait stability and underscore the importance of considering biomechanical adaptations in FHP diagnosis.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PhysiologicalGaitHeadPostureAdultAnkle JointBiomechanical PhenomenaCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleRange of Motion, ArticularYoung AdultCraniovertebral angleForward head postureGaitTrunk flexion

Identifiers

PMID40775337
PMCPMC12329986

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.