Prevalence, risk factors of forward head posture and its health consequences on physical outcomes among the adult population in Saudi Arabia

Authors

  • Hisham M. Hussein Department of Basic Sciences for Physical Therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt / Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2184-6147
  • Ahmed Abdelmoniem Ibrahim Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2103-1995
  • Shatha Saleh Alshubrami Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2918-5938
  • Remas Abdualrahman Alrahili Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia.
  • Munirah Abdullah Alaqil Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6617-5362
  • Salihah Alshehri Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9089-5570
  • Ghazi Hakami Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4028-4480
  • Mousa Alsuwat Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9795-1687
  • Wajdi Abdulrahim Alghamdi Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9070-8833
  • Salha Mohammed Almeshyakhi Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5481-4187
  • Ebtehal Fahad Alsulaimani Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8700-4685
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.667611
Keywords: Cervical Spine, Craniovertebral Angle, Risk Factors, Side Effects, Upper Crossed Syndrome

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and health consequences associated with forward head posture (FHP) among Saudi Arabia's adult population. The authors screened 533 adult males using a photographic technique to calculate the craniovertebral angle (CVA), and used direct questions to determine the average screen time per day, the existence of neck pain, and the average number of pain attacks. Body composition was indicated by body mass index (BMI). The numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) assessed the average neck pain intensity. Of the 533 participants, 211 (39%) demonstrated a CVA of 48° or less, indicating FHP. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between screen time exposure and the value of CVA (r=-.651; p<.001). Similarly, a statistically significant positive correlation existed between BMI and FHP (r= -.470; p<.001). The existence of pain, its intensity, and the average number of attacks were statistically significantly correlated with the CVA (Rpb= -.692; p<.001). (r=-.621; p<.001). (r=-.801; p<.001), respectively. In conclusion, FHP is a common neck problem among adult males in Saudi Arabia. Reducing exposure to smart screens and optimizing body composition could reduce the incidence of FHP and subsequent neck pain.

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Published
21-05-2026
How to Cite
M. Hussein, H., Abdelmoniem Ibrahim, A., Alshubrami , S. S., Abdualrahman Alrahili, R., Abdullah Alaqil, M., Alshehri, S., … Fahad Alsulaimani , E. (2026). Prevalence, risk factors of forward head posture and its health consequences on physical outcomes among the adult population in Saudi Arabia. SPORT TK-EuroAmerican Journal of Sport Sciences, 15, 39. https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.667611
Issue
Vol. 15 (2026)
Section
Articles

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The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:

1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.

© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013

2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.

3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.