Effect of Corrective and Aerobic Exercises on the Aerobic Performance and Kyphosis Angle of Women With Hyperkyphosis

Background and Aims People with hyperkyphosis have respiratory disorders and shortness of breath, which is associated with reduced oxygen supply and metabolic capacity of peripheral muscles, and quick fatigue. This study aimed to determine the effect of corrective and aerobic exercises on the aerobic performance and kyphosis angle of people with hyperkyphosis. Methods In this study, 32 women aged 30-55 years with hyperkyphosis (a kyphosis angle >40 degrees) in Rasht, Iran, were purposefully selected and randomly divided into four groups of 8 (control, aerobic exercise, corrective exercise, and combined exercise). Aerobic exercises (running on a treadmill) and corrective exercises (stretching, mobility and strengthening) were performed for 6 weeks. Before and after the exercises, the kyphosis angle was measured with a flexible ruler, and aerobic performance was measured by the modified Bruce test. The analysis of covariance was used to evaluate the effect of exercises on the variables. Paired T-test was used to compare the data before and after the exercises. The significance level was set at 0.05. SPSS software, version 23 was used for data analysis. Results Corrective exercises (P=0.023), aerobic exercises (P=0.020), and their combination (P=0.002) had a significant effect on aerobic performance. Aerobic exercises had no significant effect on the kyphosis angle (P=0.131), but the combined (P=0.001) and corrective (P=0.001) exercises had a significant effect on reducing the kyphosis angle. Conclusion Six weeks of aerobic and corrective exercises and their combination have a significant positive effect on the aerobic performance of women with hyperkyphosis, where the combined exercises have the greatest effect. Also, corrective and combined exercises can significantly reduce the kyphosis angle of these women.