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

Forward head posture is a common postural abnormality characterized by anterior positioning of the head in the sagittal plane. This posture may increase biomechanical stress on the cervical spine and may be associated with compensatory changes in spinal and lumbopelvic alignment. This observational study will investigate the relationship between forward head posture and sagittal lumbopelvic alignment among male smartphone users aged 18 to 35 years. Craniovertebral angle will be measured using the APECS mobile application, and sagittal lumbopelvic alignment parameters will be measured using the Spine3D LiDAR system.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male participants aged 18 to 35 years. * Craniovertebral angle equal to or less than 50 degrees, measured photographically using the APECS mobile application. * Body mass index from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m². * Smartphone use of at least 4 hours per day for at least 6 months. * Asymptomatic participants without diagnosed musculoskeletal or neurological conditions. * Medically stable participants. * Participants willing to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * History of trauma. * Major psychological problems. * Previous surgery involving the spine, abdomen, or shoulders. * Spinal deformity. * Lower limb deformity. * Low back pain. * Current or chronic pain in the neck, back, or pelvis. * Obesity. * Concomitant systemic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anemia, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, or cancer. * Pregnancy. * Degenerative or radicular cervical spine disorders, including cervical spondylosis, cervical degenerative disc disease, cervical radiculopathy, or cervical spinal stenosis. * Degenerative or radicular lumbar spine disorders, including herniated disc or lumbar spinal stenosis. * Participation in regular postural correction therapy or specific spine-focused exercise programs within the previous 6 months.