11 Posture and Body Mechanics Importance of Correct

11 Posture and Body Mechanics

Importance of Correct Posture and Body Mechanics In daily activities In sport activities In the activities that sport rehabilitation specialists undertake in treatment sessions

posture: the relative alignment of the various body segments with one another

good posture: The body’s alignment is balanced so that stress applied to the body segments is minimal. poor posture: The body’s alignment is out of balance, causing unusual stresses to various body segments, which can lead to abnormal anatomical adaptations, alterations in performance, and less efficiency.

Correct Standing Alignment: Anterior View Plumb line bisects nose, mouth, sternum, umbilicus, pubic bones. Earlobes are level, as are the shoulders, fingertip ends, nipples, iliac crests, patellae, and medial malleoli. Patellae point straight ahead with feet straight or turned slightly outward. Knees and ankles in line.

Correct Standing Alignment: Posterior View Plumb line bisects head and follows spinous processes. Earlobes, shoulders, scapulae, hips, PSIS, gluteal fold, posterior knee creases, medial malleoli are level. (continued)

Correct Standing Alignment: Posterior View Scapulae lie against rib cage between T 2 and T 7, 5 cm from spinous processes. Calcanei are straight; calcaneal tendon is perpendicular to floor. Weight is distributed equally.

Correct Standing Alignment: Lateral View Plumb line passes through external auditory meatus, earlobe, bodies of cervical vertebrae, center of shoulder joint, greater trochanter; midway between back and chest; slightly anterior to center of knee just behind patella; slightly anterior to lateral malleolus. (continued)

Correct Standing Alignment: Lateral View Horizontal line should connect ASIS and PSIS Weight balanced between heel and forefoot Knees straight, not locked Chin slightly tucked, chest slightly up and forward, mild inward curve in neck and low back regions

Correct Sitting Alignment Feet rest comfortably on floor with hips and knees at 90°. Chair seat does not run into posterior knee; chair back comes to lower scapula border. Chair arms are at a level that provides shoulder relaxation and permits forearms to rest comfortably with elbows at 90°.

lordosis: an excessive forward curve in the lumbar or cervical area kyphosis: an excessive posterior curve, often in the thoracic area scoliosis: a lateral curve of the normally straight spine, classified as either a C-curve or an S-curve

Pathological Alignment: Pelvis and Lumbar Area Lordosis Flat lumbar spine Scoliosis

Pathological Alignment: Thoracic Area Thoracic kyphosis Flattening of upper back Scoliosis Lateral shift

Pathological Alignment: Head and Cervical Area Forward head Cervical lordosis

Pathological Alignment: Lower Extremities Hips: coxa valga, coxa varus; anteversion, retroversion Knees: genu valgus, genu varus; squinting patellae, “frog’s eye” patellae; genu recurvatum

Femoral Neck-Shaft Angles a b c

Pathological Alignment: Lower Extremities Lower leg; tibial torsion Ankle and foot: pes cavus, pes planus; pronation, supination; hallux valgus; claw toes, hammertoes

Arch Positions Adapted from Richardson and Iglarsh 1994.

Toe Deformities Parts b and c reprinted from Richardson and Iglarsh 1994.

Pathological Alignment: Upper Extremities Rounded shoulders Forward and downward scapulae Internally rotated shoulders

Causes of Muscle Imbalances Read pp 337 -338 Sustained shortening of one muscle and compensatory lengthening of opposite muscle Overuse: weakness of one group overpowered by strength of opposing group Postural deviations with aging Joint abnormalities Injuries, muscle strains

Treatment of Muscle Imbalances Read pp 337 -338 Lengthen shortened muscle groups Strengthen weak muscle groups. Educate patient on proper posture for conscious correction. Encourage bilateral activities. Conditioning programs include a balanced program.

body mechanics: the way the body is positioned and used during activity

Body Mechanics Principles Straight or neutral spine Stability maintained by a low center of gravity, a broad base of support, and a stance in the direction of force application Strong abdominals

Body Mechanics During Daily Activities Lifting objects Pushing or pulling objects Carrying objects Rising from a chair Getting on the floor

Body Mechanics in Sport Straight back Abdominal strength Pelvic neutral Examples of specific sports

Body Mechanics for Sport Rehabilitation Specialist Equal distribution of weight over the two feet Feet in correct alignment and in direction of forces Force applied from legs Back straight Move from right to left foot and back again Keep upper extremities relaxed, in proper alignment