Effects of Nordic Pole Walking in Adults With Forward Head Posture

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of Nordic pole walking on pain, neck-related disability, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and postural alignment in adults with forward head posture and neck pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Nordic pole walking group or a general walking group. Both groups will participate in a 6-week walking program, three times per week, with each session lasting 40 minutes. Neck-related disability and pain will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Pulmonary function will be assessed using forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and the FEV1/FVC ratio. Respiratory muscle strength will be evaluated using maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and postural alignment will be assessed using the craniovertebral angle (CVA). Measurements will be performed before and after the 6-week intervention.