Date

8-6-2025

Department

School of Health Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD)

Chair

Eric J. Sobolewski

Keywords

Sport-specific posture, postural deviations, musculoskeletal health, anterior pelvic tilt, forward head posture, PostureScreen app, college athletes

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

This dissertation investigated sport-specific postural deviations in college-aged individuals aged 18–21 by comparing those who participated in a high school sport for at least four consecutive years with their non-athletic peers. The study aimed to identify prevalent postural deviations and explore their implications for long-term musculoskeletal health. Drawing from biomechanical and ergonomic literature, the study employed a quasi-experimental static-group comparison design to evaluate 60 participants (30 athletes, 30 non-athletes) using the PostureScreen mobile app. Postural deviations were measured in both the frontal and sagittal planes across four regions: head, shoulders, pelvis, and knees. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to examine differences between groups. While none of the null hypotheses were rejected at the .05 level, descriptive findings revealed subtle asymmetries and directional trends that may hold clinical and functional significance, particularly in the pelvis and shoulder regions. Importantly, this study contributes to the growing field of posture science by emphasizing the need for preventive screening and individualized corrective interventions. Findings may inform athletic training, physical therapy, and ergonomics programs aiming to improve posture, reduce injury risk, and promote long-term health in emerging adults.

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