Functional Training and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation for Upper Crossed Syndrome in College Students

Zhuolin  Wu; Yanmei  Chen

doi:10.54691/vkvmpt20

Authors

Zhuolin Wu
Yanmei Chen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/vkvmpt20

Keywords:

College students; upper crossed syndrome; functional training; PNF; posture correction.

Abstract

This study aims to systematically review the effects, mechanisms, and current research status of functional training and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) in treating upper crossed syndrome (UCS) among college students, thereby providing a theoretical reference for posture correction in this population. A narrative review method was adopted to summarize relevant domestic and international literature, with a focus on the principles, application outcomes, and limitations of the two intervention approaches. The results indicate that the core pathophysiology of UCS in college students is a crossed muscle imbalance in the neck, shoulder, and upper back regions: muscles such as the pectoralis major and upper trapezius become excessively tense and adaptively shortened, while muscles such as the rhomboids and middle/lower trapezius exhibit inhibition and weakness. Functional training can specifically strengthen these weak muscles, reconstruct kinetic chain function, and effectively improve abnormal postures such as forward head posture and rounded shoulders, but its effect on relaxing tense muscles is limited. PNF, by contrast, rapidly relaxes overactive muscles through neural reflex mechanisms, enhances flexibility and joint range of motion, and provides marked short‑term symptomatic relief, yet it does not sufficiently strengthen weak muscles. Current studies commonly suffer from small sample sizes, inconsistent intervention protocols, and insufficient mechanistic exploration. In conclusion, functional training and PNF are effective interventions for UCS in college students, with the former suitable for strengthening weak muscles and the latter for relaxing tense muscles. Future research should optimize intervention protocols and deepen mechanistic investigations.

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