11 Posture and Body Mechanics. Importance of Correct Posture and Body Mechanics In daily activities In sport activities In the activities that sport rehabilitation.

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Posture and Body Mechanics

Importance Importance of Correct Posture of Correct Posture and Body Mechanicsand 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 Correct Standing Alignment: Anterior ViewAlignment: 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 Correct Standing Alignment: Posterior ViewAlignment: 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 Correct Standing Alignment: Posterior ViewAlignment: Posterior View

Scapulae lie against rib cage between T2 and T7, 5 cm from spinous processes.

Calcanei are straight; calcaneal tendon is perpendicular to floor.

Weight is distributed equally.

Correct Standing Correct Standing Alignment: Lateral ViewAlignment: 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 Correct Standing Alignment: Lateral ViewAlignment: 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 AlignmentCorrect 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: Pathological Alignment: Pelvis and Lumbar AreaPelvis and Lumbar Area

Lordosis

Flat lumbar spine

Scoliosis

Pathological Alignment: Pathological Alignment: Thoracic AreaThoracic Area

Thoracic kyphosis

Flattening of upper back

Lateral shift

Scoliosis

Pathological Alignment: Pathological Alignment: Head and Cervical AreaHead and Cervical Area

Forward head

Cervical lordosis

Pathological Alignment: Pathological Alignment: Lower ExtremitiesLower Extremities

Hips: coxa valga, coxa varus; anteversion, retroversion

Knees: genu valgus, genu varus; squinting patellae, “frog’s eye” patellae; genu recurvatum

Femoral Neck-Shaft AnglesFemoral Neck-Shaft Angles

a b c

Pathological Alignment: Pathological Alignment: Lower ExtremitiesLower Extremities

Ankle and foot: pes cavus, pes planus; pronation, supination; hallux valgus; claw toes, hammertoes

Lower leg; tibial torsion

Arch PositionsArch Positions

Adapted from Richardson and Iglarsh 1994.

Toe DeformitiesToe Deformities

Parts b and c reprinted from Richardson and Iglarsh 1994.

Pathological Alignment: Pathological Alignment: Upper ExtremitiesUpper Extremities

Rounded shoulders

Forward and downward scapulae

Internally rotated shoulders

Causes of Muscle Causes of Muscle Imbalances Imbalances Read pp 337-338Read pp 337-338

Sustained shortening of one muscle and compensatory lengthening of opposite muscleOveruse: weakness of one group overpowered by strength of opposing group

Joint abnormalities

Postural deviations with aging

Injuries, muscle strains

Treatment of Muscle Treatment of Muscle Imbalances Imbalances Read pp 337-338Read pp 337-338

Lengthen shortened muscle groups

Strengthen weak muscle groups.

Encourage bilateral activities.

Educate patient on proper posture for conscious correction.

Conditioning programs include a balanced program.

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

Body Mechanics Body Mechanics PrinciplesPrinciples

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 Body Mechanics During Daily ActivitiesDuring Daily Activities

Lifting objects

Pushing or pulling objects

Rising from a chair

Carrying objects

Getting on the floor

Body Mechanics in SportBody Mechanics in Sport

Straight back

Abdominal strength

Pelvic neutral

Examples of specific sports

Body Mechanics for Sport Body Mechanics for Sport Rehabilitation SpecialistRehabilitation Specialist

Equal distribution of weight over the two feetFeet in correct alignment and in direction of forces

Back straightForce applied from legs

Move from right to left foot and back again

Keep upper extremities relaxed, in proper alignment