Smartphone Addiction, Posture and Breathing Control in University Students

Overview

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of smartphone addiction on postural problems and breathing control in healthy university students. Excessive smartphone use has been associated with forward head posture, thoracic postural changes, and musculoskeletal complaints. These postural alterations may negatively influence respiratory biomechanics and breathing control. However, the relationship between smartphone addiction, postural deterioration, and dysfunctional breathing symptoms has not been comprehensively investigated. Participants will complete questionnaires assessing smartphone addiction and breathing control, and posture will be evaluated using the New York Posture Rating Chart. Binary logistic regression analysis will be performed to determine whether smartphone addiction independently predicts postural problems. Additionally, multiple linear regression analyses will be conducted to examine the association between smartphone addiction, posture, and breathing control.

This cross-sectional observational study will be conducted between April and September 2026 in healthy university students aged 18-35 years. Following written informed consent, participants will complete a sociodemographic form including age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and daily smartphone usage duration. Smartphone addiction levels will be evaluated using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form (SAS-SV). Breathing control and dysfunctional breathing symptoms will be assessed using the Self Evaluation of Breathing Questionnaire (SEBQ). Postural assessment will be performed using the New York Posture Rating Chart (NYPRC). Participants will additionally be categorized according to smartphone addiction status using validated cutoff values for the SAS-SV. Postural status will also be categorized according to NYPRC scores. Binary logistic regression analysis will be performed to determine whether smartphone addiction is an independent predictor of postural problems. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) will be reported. Multiple linear regression analysis will additionally be used to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction, posture scores, and breathing control scores while adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and smartphone usage duration. The study aims to provide evidence regarding the musculoskeletal and respiratory consequences of excessive smartphone use in young adults.