PhD K.M. Nairat¹
PhD K.B. Yasin¹
Dr. Hab. I.S. Abdel-Khak¹
J.A. Nazer^1
1An-Najah National University in Palestinian Territories

Keywords: therapeutic rehabilitation, shoulder girdle deformations, correction.

Background. Right posture is known to be critical for an individual physical harmony, general look, self-confidence and self-respect, and this is the natural reason why everybody strives to be physically fit, perfect and healthy to pleasantly feel and demonstrate physical perfection in every move and activity. The individual physical perfection and postural regress prevention agenda is possible only when the musculoskeletal system is healthy and fit, joints are flexible and nervous system is stress tolerant [5].

As recognized by researchers [3], school period plays a key in the individual socializing and right posture formation process [3]. Hassanein and Abdel Salam [4] believe that postural deformations are normally triggered by some developmental deviations in one or a few body parts in the adolescent period when they grow very fast. As underlined by Alicia, due care and attention to the body formation at that time is critical for prevention of potential postural disorders and brings with time multiple athletic, aesthetic, health and social benefits, including the sustainable immunity to the body-deformations-related pains and injuries [1].

Our team researchers, with their great academic and school education service experience, are well aware of and concerned with the multiple postural deformations in the senior schoolgirls including shoulder girdle dysfunctions, neck disorders, back curvatures, slouches etc.

Objective of the study was to provide theoretical substantiations for and test benefits of a target therapeutic rehabilitation model designed to correct the shoulder girdle deformations in senior schoolgirls.

Methods and structure of the study. The model benefits were tested by the pre- versus post-experimental tests at Abdel Qader Qawasmeh secondary school in Hebron, with 19 senior schoolgirls diagnosed with shoulder girdle disorders sampled for the model testing experiment. Given in Table 1 are the sample ages and anthropometrical measurements.

Table 1. Sample (n=19) ages and anthropometrical measurements

The 8-week target therapeutic rehabilitation model included 3 training sessions per week with morning and evening practices using the following equipment and appliances: gymnastic mats; 1kg weights (sandbags); color hoops; chairs; whistle; and a stopwatch. The sample progress was rated by the pre- versus post-experimental measurements of the distances between key front shoulder points; shoulder blades; earlobe and spine; and mid-shoulder point and gluteus muscle.

Study findings and discussion. Given in Table 2 hereunder are the pre- versus post-experimental test data.

Table 2. Pre- versus post-experimental test data of the sample (n=19)

Note: *statistical significance rate р≤0.05; standard T value = 2.10; degree of freedom = 18

The model was tested beneficial as verified by the sample progress in the following pre- versus post-experimental anthropometrical measurements:

• Statistically significant progress in the pre- versus post-experimental distances between the key front shoulder points estimated at 8.7% - attributable, as we believe, to the Duck exercise and elbow thrust-and-lift exercise as verified by the fast improved shoulder girdle condition and rotation freedom.
• Distance between the shoulder blades was tested to improve by 26.4%.
• Distance between the earlobe and spine was tested to significantly grow by 11.03%.
• And the distance between the mid shoulder point and gluteus was found to increase by 15%, apparently due to the Duck exercise and elbow thrust-and-lift exercise.

It should be mentioned that a special contribution to the progress in the shoulder blades distance measurements was probably made by the elbow back thrust, lying push-up and trunk turn exercises; the earlobe-to-spine distance was improved, as we believe, mostly by the Chair exercise; and the arms apart stretching, Duck exercise and weight lifting exercises apparently helped improve the distance between the mid shoulder point and gluteus; with the training model on the whole found to improve and harmonize the postural control in the sample.

Conclusion. The new therapeutic rehabilitation model was found beneficial as verified by the senior schoolgirls’ progress in the shoulder girdle anthropometrical measurements and postural control tests.

References

1. Alicia D. Senior orthotist. Prosthetist orthothotics and prosthetics center, department of physical medicine and rehabilitation. University of Michigan health system. Annarbor, Michigan.2013.
2. Al-Shishani A.M. Posture and therapeutic Exercises. Dar Ward for Publishing and Distribution, Amman, 2004.
3. Andrew B. Resident physician. Department of physical medicine and rehabilitation. University of Michigan health system. Ann arbor, Michigan. 2010.
4. Hassanein M.S., Ragheb M.A. Normal posture for all. Helwan University, Arab Thought House, Cairo. 1995.
5. Tawfiq Faraj Abdel Hamid The importance of exercise in the treatment of deformities. Dar Wafaa Printing & Publishing. Iraq. 2005.

Corresponding author: dr.qais.yaseen@gmail.com

Abstract

Objective of the study was to provide theoretical substantiations for and test benefits of a special therapeutic rehabilitation model designed to correct shoulder girdle deformations in senior schoolgirls. The model benefits were tested by the pre- and post-experimental tests at Abdel Qader Qawasmeh secondary school in Hebron, with 19 senior schoolgirls diagnosed with shoulder girdle disorders sampled for the experiment. The progress tests showed benefits of the correction model as verified by the 8.7% significant progress in the pre- versus post-experimental measurements of the distance between key front shoulder points; 26.4% progress in the distance between the shoulder blades; 11.03% progress in the distance between the earlobe and spine; and the 15% progress in the distance between the mid-shoulder point and gluteus muscle. The study gives an overview the key physical exercises that helped correct the shoulder girdle deformations in the senior schoolgirls.