The effects of shoulder stabilization exercises on muscle strength, proprioceptive sensory ability and performance in office workers with shoulder protraction

<i>Objectives</i>. Shoulder protraction is frequently seen in office workers because of working with excessive trunk flexion for a long time. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of stabilization exercises (SE) given in addition to office exercises (OE). <i>Methods</i>. Sixty office workers with shoulder protraction were divided into SE + OE (<i>n = </i>30) and OE (<i>n = </i>30) groups by stratified random sampling for 8 weeks and followed up for 4 weeks. Shoulder protraction was assessed with a caliper, muscle strength with a hand-held dynamometer, proprioception with an isokinetic dynamometer, vibration sense with a vibrometer and upper extremity functional performance with the closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test. <i>Results</i>. There were significant improvements in all parameters in the OE + SE group, while increases in the strength of the upper trapezius, pectoralis major and infraspinatus muscles and in upper extremity functional performance were also found in the OE group (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). During detraining, shoulder protraction, muscle strength, proprioception and upper extremity performance showed longer-term improvement with SE + OE (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). <i>Conclusion</i>. The results obtained with the exercises demonstrate the importance of SE + OE in terms of maintaining proper posture and improving shoulder proprioception, muscle strength and functional performance.