Abstract

Aim. Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) is a major postural disorder. As time spent on social media (TSSM) is increasing yearly. Limited literature was found on the effect of TSSM on body posture. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between TSSM with muscular changes related to UCS and physical well-being among university students in Jordan. Material and Methods. Two hundred participants were recruited for this study. After signing the informed consents, Participants filled a survey and underwent standardized measures including head position measures, Manual Muscles Testing (MMT) and Muscles Length Test. Survey included multiple factors that can be related to postural changes. Results. Forty-seven percent of participants scored fair, 37.2% scored good, and only, 15.1% scored normal in MMT of deep neck flexor muscles. Also, 40.5% of participants scored fair, 44.95% scored good, and 14.6% scored normal in MMT of shoulder retractor muscles. Results revealed a significant relationship between TSSM with decreased strength of deep neck flexor muscles (p < 0.05), left scapula retractor muscles (p < 0.01), and right scapula retractor muscles (p < 0.01). Additionally, a significant relationship between TSSM with headache (p < 0.05) and low back pain (P < 0.05) was found. Conclusion. Social media should be used wisely to avoid postural impairments. Limiting time spent on social media to one hour daily can be helpful in maintaining healthy postural muscles and physical well-being.

Key words:

Body Posture, Social Media, Upper Cross Syndrome, Upper Quarter, Time