Anjie Xu^1ABCD, Elena Cherkashina^2CD, Ilia Cherkashin^23ABCD, Artur Kruszewski^4AD, Ronghui Wang^1AE, Wenjuan Shao^5BC, Zihao He^1BC, Xiao Hou^1AE, Marek Kruszewski^4AD, Bartosz Molik^4AD 

¹School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
² School of Physical Education, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan Province, China
³ Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Russia
⁴ Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
⁵ Department of Physical Education, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China

*Corresponding author: Ilia Cherkashin, Hainan Normal University, No. 99, Longkun South Road, Haikou City, Hainan Province, China; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Authors:
Xu Anjie: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5501-7706
Cherkashina Elena: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3477-8801
Cherkashin Ilia:  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3015-3003
Kruszewski Artur: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3930-7304
Wang Ronghui:
Shao Wenjuan:
He Zihao: 
Hou Xiao:
Kruszewski Marek:  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9476-0016
Molik Bartosz:  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6690-0699

Abstract

Background and Study Aim: Upper crossed syndrome (UCS) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder. Comprehensive corrective exercises (CCE) are the most commonly used conservative intervention for UCS, while Chinese health-preserving exercises (CHE) also demonstrate positive outcomes. This meta-analysis aims is knowledge about the effectiveness between CCE and CHE in addressing UCS-related postural symptoms, including forward head, round shoulders, and kyphosis.

Material and Methods: This meta-analysis included 24 studies comprising 995 participants, selected from six databases: EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, and CNKI up to September 2024. In the qualified researches, the exercise interventions were primarily restricted and classified into CHE or CCE, and the primary outcome indicators included forward head angle (FHA), forward shoulder angle (FSA) or kyphosis angle (KPA).

Results: Both Chinese health-preserving exercises: standardized mean difference (SMD) = −2.32; 95% CI = −3.26 to −1.38; p<0.00001) and comprehensive corrective exercises (SMD = −1.54; 95% CI = −1.95 to −1.12; p<0.00001) significantly improve forward head angle, with no significant difference between them. Chinese health-preserving exercises significantly reduced forward shoulder angle (SMD = −0.88; 95% CI = −1.28 to −0.49; p = 0.002), while Comprehensive corrective exercises demonstrated significant reductions in both forward shoulder angle (SMD = −1.39; 95% CI = −1.84 to −0.94; p<0.00001) and kyphosis angle (SMD = −2.25; 95% CI −3.15 to −1.35; p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Chinese health-preserving exercises and comprehensive corrective exercises present effective strategies for enhancing postural alignment in upper crossed syndrome, including forward head and rounded shoulders. Comprehensive corrective exercises also show significant potential in improving thoracic kyphosis.

Keywords: Chinese health-preserving exercises, comprehensive corrective exercises, forward head, kyphosis, round shoulders

AMA:
Xu A, Cherkashina E, Cherkashin I, Kruszewski A, Wang R, Shao W, He Z, Hou X, Kruszewski M, Molik B. Effectiveness of exercise interventions for postural correction in upper crossed syndrome – meta-analysis. Arch Budo J Inn Agon. 2025;21.
APA:
Xu, A., Cherkashina, E., Cherkashin, I., Kruszewski, A., Wang, R., Shao, W., He, Z., Hou, X., Kruszewski, M., & Molik, B. (2025). Effectiveness of exercise interventions for postural correction in upper crossed syndrome – meta-analysis. Arch Budo J Inn Agon, 21.
Chicago:
Xu, Anjie, Elena Cherkashina, Ilia Cherkashin, Artur Kruszewski, Ronghui Wang, Wenjuan Shao, Zihao He, Xiao Hou, Marek Kruszewski, and Bartosz Molik. 2025. "Effectiveness of Exercise Interventions for Postural Correction in Upper Crossed Syndrome – Meta-Analysis." Arch Budo J Inn Agon 21.
Harvard:
Xu, A., Cherkashina, E., Cherkashin, I., Kruszewski, A., Wang, R., Shao, W., He, Z., Hou, X., Kruszewski, M., & Molik, B. (2025). Effectiveness of exercise interventions for postural correction in upper crossed syndrome – meta-analysis. Arch Budo J Inn Agon, 21.
MLA:
Xu, Anjie, et al. "Effectiveness of Exercise Interventions for Postural Correction in Upper Crossed Syndrome – Meta-Analysis." Arch Budo J Inn Agon, vol. 21, 2025.
Vancouver:
Xu A, Cherkashina E, Cherkashin I, Kruszewski A, Wang R, Shao W, He Z, Hou X, Kruszewski M, Molik B. Effectiveness of exercise interventions for postural correction in upper crossed syndrome – meta-analysis. Arch Budo J Inn Agon. 2025;21.