1. 11
Posture and Body Mechanics

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

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. Correct Standing Alignment: 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.

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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°.

11. 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

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

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

14. Pathological Alignment: Head and Cervical Area
Forward head
Cervical lordosis

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

16. Femoral Neck-Shaft Anglesb c

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

18. Arch Positions
Adapted from Richardson and Iglarsh 1994.

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

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

21. 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

22. 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.

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

24. 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

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

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

27. 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