Effect of cervicothoracic posture on respiratory muscle strength and upper extremity function in healthy young adults.

This study investigated the effects of cervicothoracic posture on respiratory muscle strength, upper extremity function, and fatigue in healthy young adults, considering different physical activity levels. Results showed that cervicothoracic posture angles, including forward shoulder angle (FSA), craniovertebral angle (CVA), cervical lordosis angle (CLA), and thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA), did not significantly affect respiratory muscle strength or upper extremity function. However, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) was positively associated with axillary chest wall mobility and inversely related to fatigue severity, with higher physical activity levels linked to greater MEP, chest mobility, and lower fatigue. The findings suggest that physical activity and chest wall mobility, rather than cervicothoracic posture, play more critical roles in respiratory muscle strength and fatigue among healthy young adults.