Differences in Distance Perception and Balance in Female Students with and without Upper Crossed Syndrome: A...

Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS), a common postural condition characterized by muscle imbalances, can affect proprioception, balance, and functional abilities. This comparative study aimed to investigate differences in distance perception and dynamic balance between female students with and without UCS.

This field-based descriptive and comparative study was conducted in 2025. A total of 72 female students aged 15-18 years from Ajabshir, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran were screened using a grid-based postural assessment and divided into two groups: with UCS (n=36) and without UCS (n=36). Thoracic kyphosis was measured using the Goniometer-Pro app, while forward head posture and shoulder protraction were evaluated via body profile photography analyzed by Kinovea software. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test, and distance perception was measured using a blindfolded walking task in which participants walked toward the remembered location of a visually presented target. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests in SPSS version 25, with a significance level of 0.05.

The results indicated no significant differences in distance perception between the two groups (P=0.675, Cohen's d=-0.10). However, students with UCS exhibited significantly reduced dynamic balance compared with their peers without UCS (P=0.001, Cohen's d=5.79), indicating a very large effect size.

These findings suggested that while UCS may not directly affect distance perception in young individuals, it substantially impairs dynamic balance. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve postural stability in affected individuals. The long-term effects of UCS on sensory-motor functions in a variety of groups should be further investigated.