The Effect of National Academy of Sports Medicine and Sahrmann Training on the Foot Pressure Distribution in Flexed Posture Students: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: Flexed posture students who had hyperkyphosis (HKP) and forward head posture (FHP) due to changes in the spine alignment leads to displacement of the center of pressure and increased postural sways which ultimately disrupts the distribution of foot pressure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of eight weeks of National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and Sharman training on foot pressure distribution in flexed posture students. Methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial thirty students with HKP and FHP were randomly assigned in two groups: NASM (n=15) and Sahrmann (n=15). The angle of HKP and FHP were evaluated by Spinal Mouse and Image J software. Foot pressure distribution were also evaluated by PT-Scan device. Both groups performed corrective exercises for eight weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and the one way-Covariance statistical method.  Results: The results showed that both groups of corrective exercises have significant differences in reducing the angle of HKP (P­=0.0001) and FHP (P­<­0.001), COP minor axis length (P­<0.05), COP major axis length (P­<0.001), COP path length (P­<0.001), standard deviation of internal-external sways (P<0.001), standard deviation of anterior-posterior sways (P­<0.001), but there was no significant difference for the COP area (P­>0.05) and symmetry index between two legs (P>0.05).  Discussion: Both corrective exercises reduced HKP and FHP angles and reduced postural sways. However, Sahrmann intervention with adjusted muscle stiffness and reduced electromechanical latency was more effective than NASM exercises in improving postural control and foot pressure symmetry index.