Relationship Between Forward Head Posture and Sagittal Lumbopelvic Alignment Among Smartphone Users

Forward head posture is considered one of the commonly occurring musculoskeletal postural abnormalities. It is characterized by an anterior position of the head relative to the body's line of gravity in the sagittal plane. This altered posture may increase mechanical load on cervical joints, ligaments, and surrounding soft tissues. Sagittal spinal and lumbopelvic alignment are important components of global postural balance. Changes in one spinal region may influence adjacent regions through compensatory mechanisms that help maintain horizontal gaze and keep the body's center of gravity within the base of support. Smartphone use is commonly associated with prolonged neck flexion and altered head posture. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between craniovertebral angle, as an indicator of forward head posture, and sagittal lumbopelvic alignment parameters among smartphone users. A total of 85 male participants with forward head posture will be recruited from outpatient clinics and students of the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Sphinx University. Forward head posture will be assessed using craniovertebral angle measured by the APECS mobile application. Sagittal lumbopelvic alignment will be assessed using the Spine3D LiDAR system by Sensor Medica, including lordotic angle, lumbar arrow, and trunk inclination.