Table 4 Results per outcome variable

Sitting posture

Cervicothoracic angle

Slightly decreased in adolescents with NSP, if not adjusted for gender [28]

Decreased in adolescents with prolonged NSP, if not adjusted for gender [27]

Craniocervical angle

Straker et al., 2008 [28]

Straker et al., 2009 [27]

Head flexion

Straker et al., 2008 [28]

Straker et al., 2009 [27]

Lumbar angle

More lordotic/smaller lumbar angle in adolescents with prolonged NSP after controlling for gender [27]

Straker et al., 2008 [28]

Neck flexion

Straker et al., 2008 [28]

Straker et al., 2009 [27]

Pelvic tilt

Increased anterior pelvic tilt in adolescents with prolonged NSP after controlling for gender [27]

Straker et al., 2008 [28]

Trunk angle

Decreased in adolescents with prolonged NSP, if not adjusted for gender [27]

Slightly decreased in adolescents with NSP, if not adjusted for gender [28]

Standing posture

Body lean angle

Sway back posture = large trunk lean angle and body lean angle in boys with neck pain [24]

Dolphens et al., 2012 [23]

Dolphens et al., 2014 [25]

Craniovertebral angle

Anteroposition of the head = smaller craniovertebral angle in boys with neck pain; more lifetime doctor visits in girls with anteroposition of the head [23]

Pelvic displacement angle

Dolphens et al., 2012 [23]

Dolphens et al., 2013 [24]

Dolphens et al., 2014 [25]

Trunk lean angle

Increased trunk lean angle = increased posterior trunk tilt in boys with neck pain [23]

Sway back posture = large trunk lean angle and body lean angle in boys with neck pain [24]

Dolphens et al., 2014 [25]

Trunk

Functional stability (Matthiass test)

Wirth et al., 2013 [29]

Asymmetry (forward bending test)

Wirth et al., 2013 [29]

Spinal mobility (fingertip-floor distance)

Wirth et al., 2013 [29]

Endurance (sustained back extension test, abdominal curls)

Boys: lower odds for NSP when back muscle endurance reduced; girls: U-shape between NSP and back muscle endurance, higher odds for NSP when abdominal muscle endurance increased [26]

Upper limb

Upper limb power (seated basketball throw)

Boys: higher odds for NSP when upper limb power increased; girls: lower odds for NSP when upper limb power increased [26]

Grip strength

Perry et al., 2008 [26]

Shoulder flexibility (shoulder stretch)

Girls: lower odds for NSP when shoulder flexibility decreased [26]

Other

Coordination (single leg stance)

Wirth et al., 2013 [29]

Motor competence (neurodevelopmental index)

Perry et al., 2008 [26]

Lower limb power (standing long jump)

Boys and girls: higher odds for NSP when lower limb power increased [26]