An interventional study of Postural Restoration Exercises and Positional Exercises in Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD), Pelvic Alignment and Breathing Mechanics, sponsored by Fooyin University. Completed at 1 site in Taiwan. Open to participants aged 22 Years to 31 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-03.
Sponsored by Fooyin University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Prolonged sedentary behavior and habitual poor posture often lead to asymmetrical muscular loading and restricted joint mobility, such as glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD). Traditional interventions primarily focus on passive, localized stretching. However, the human body functions as an interconnected kinetic chain, where the mobility of distal joints (like the shoulder) is heavily influenced by the axial alignment of the thorax and pelvis, as well as breathing mechanics.
This study aims to investigate the immediate effects of Postural Restoration Exercises (PRE)-which uniquely combine specific asymmetrical positioning with prolonged exhalation techniques-on pelvic alignment and shoulder mobility in healthy young adults. Using a dismantling design, participants are assigned to three groups: the Postural Restoration Exercise (PRE) group, the Positional Exercise (PE) group, and the Breathing Exercise (BE) group. By comparing these groups, the study seeks to isolate and clarify whether the restorative benefits stem primarily from limb positioning, breathing mechanics, or the integration of both. The ultimate goal is to provide evidence for a highly efficient, self-administered intervention to improve motor performance and reduce injury risk.
The innate structural asymmetry of the human body, such as the mass distribution of internal organs and the bilateral diaphragm, naturally predisposes the axial skeleton to specific rotational tendencies (e.g., rightward thoracic rotation). When this inherent asymmetry becomes "locked" due to prolonged poor posture, unilateral athletic demands, or injury, the neuromuscular system loses its dynamic adaptability. Consequently, the body relies on localized compensations in peripheral joints to accomplish symmetrical tasks, frequently resulting in conditions like glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) and altered pelvic alignment.
Previous research suggests that interventions emphasizing pelvic repositioning combined with forceful exhalation can effectively address these functional asymmetries (Boyle et al., 2010). However, the independent contribution of specific respiratory mechanics versus positional loading within these multimodal interventions remains unclear.
This study extends the theoretical foundation of regional interdependence to investigate how "Dynamic Thoracic Positioning," driven by respiratory mechanics, influences distal joint kinematics. The intervention objective is not to eliminate innate asymmetry but to break patterned compensatory inertia. By utilizing a Pelvic Alignment Locator and Inclinometer (PALM™) to quantify spatial pelvic alignment and standard goniometry to assess hip and shoulder range of motion, this study evaluates the immediate neuromechanical resetting effects of PRE compared to isolated positional (PE) and breathing (BE) exercises."
Fooyin University is the lead sponsor of 18 studies on the registry; 5 are open to participants now.
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The criteria were revised on the registry on Nov 3, 2026. See what changed
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants receive postural restoration exercises incorporating pelvic repositioning and respiratory mechanics.
Other: Postural Restoration Exercises
Participants receive isolated positional exercises.
Other: Positional Exercises
Participants receive isolated breathing exercises.
Other: Breathing Exercises
Participants receive postural restoration exercises incorporating pelvic repositioning and respiratory mechanics.
Participants receive isolated positional exercises.
Participants receive isolated breathing exercises.
Change in Standing Pelvic Alignment
Measured using a Palpation Meter (PALM) and a smartphone clinometer application to evaluate standing pelvic tilt and pelvic rotation angles immediately before and after the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention (within 5 minutes after the single-session exercise)
Change in Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Range of Motion
Measured using a goniometer in a standardized position to evaluate changes in glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion immediately before and after the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention (within 5 minutes after the single-session exercise)
Plan to share: Yes — de-identified participant data will be made available upon reasonable request directed to the corresponding author, starting from the time of publication.
Supporting information: Study protocol
Time frame: Beginning 3 months and ending 5 years following article publication.
Access criteria: De-identified individual participant data and study protocols will be made available to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal, upon reasonable request directed to the corresponding author via email.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Nov 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Fooyin University