Effect of Scapular Stabilization Exercises on Scapular Muscles Strength and Kyphosis Index in Smartphone Users

Modern people use a smartphone along the day, including occupational and leisure activities. Repeated and prolonged use of smartphones affecting muscular activity and strength around the shoulders and upper back especially serratus anterior during maintaining an un ideal posture which may result in the development of postural changes as excessive thoracic kyphosis which in turn will result in inadequate muscles contractions, weakening of postural muscles and fatigue. Scapular muscles strength should be balanced or integrated (muscle balance) and worked in synchronized motion, so, alteration in scapulothoracic motion in resting position or dynamic motion of scapula described as scapulothoracic dysfunction. Muscle imbalances occurs and lower trapezius, serratus anterior and rhomboids muscles are the most common muscles prone to weakness due to exposure to sustained awkward posture or adaptive postures and restriction to specific activity. Continuous use of smartphone for more than 4 hours daily increases shoulder and parascapular pain, fatigue, decrease strength of scapular muscles (lower fibers of trapezius for scapular adduction and depression and rhomboids for scapular adduction and downward rotation) in right dominant side due to prolonged hyperactivity, then weakness.The excessive use of smartphones correlates with increases incidence of vertebral static disorders, especially kyphosis.

Scapular stabilization exercises were effective in the early rehabilitation and the balance of both sides of the trapezius with the movement and couple motion of the scapula. It is also effective in increasing muscle activation in the serratus anterior and lower trapezius.