title: Head and shoulder functional changes in flutists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at comparing head posture, symmetry of shoulder muscle strength, and posture among developing flutists, professional flutists, and a matched control group of singers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements of head and scapular posture and muscle strength were compared between flutists with ≤10 yrs of practice (developing flutists, n=9), flutists with >10 years of practice (professional flutists, n=9), and singers (n=9). Posture was measured with a goniometer and tape measure; strength was assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found between groups concerning forward head posture only; developing flutists showed a higher forward head posture compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). No significant differences were found for scapular posture or muscle strength.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Developing flutists showed significantly more forward head posture. This finding supports the need to revise existing music curricula targeting the inclusion of compulsory disciplines on music medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication and Arts, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. Tel +351 234 370 389 ext 23724, fax +351 370 368. filipa.la@ua.pt.
authors.forename: Ziliane Lima de Oliveira
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Filipa Martins Baptista
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Lã
authors.forename: Anabela Goncalves
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D009146:Music; D010808:Physical Examination; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000503:physiopathology