1. Human Positions and Posture Mazyad Aloatibi1 1

2. Human Positions and Posture
The position in which the parts of your body are hold upright against gravity while standing, sitting, or lying down is called posture.
Your posture constantly changes depending on the activity, but no matter what you are doing, you must keep holding and moving your body in a balanced and efficient way, that is called good posture
To gain good posture you must training your muscles, bones, and joints to stand, walk, sit, and lie with least strain and effort.

3. Proper Posture To achieve proper posture:
1- Keeps correct alignment of bones and joints to
help muscles used properly.
2- Decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces
that could result in arthritis by proper alignment.

4. Proper Posture 3- Decreases the stress on the ligaments holding the
joints of the back.
4- Prevents the spine from becoming fixed in abnormal positions.
5- Prevents fatigue because muscles are being used more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy.
6- Prevents strain or overuse problems.
7- Prevents backache and muscular pain.

5. Factors Affect Posture
There are some factors contribute to bad posture as:
OBESITY
PREGNANCY
muscle weakness.
use high-heeled shoes .

6. Factors Affect Posture
shortening of muscles.
decrease flexibility and ignorance of good posture.

7. Starting Positions Also called fundamental positions.
They are five positions.
1- Standing position.
2- Kneeling position.
3- Sitting position.
4- Lying position.
5- Hanging position.

8. 1- Standing
it is the most difficult position to maintain because the body is balanced and stabilized on a small base which needs coordination work of many muscle groups.

9. Correct Standing Position
1- The heels are on ground with angle not exceed 45°.
2- Keep your knee straight but not locked.
3- The hips are in extension and slightly rotated laterally.
4- The pelvic is balanced on the femoral head.
5- The spine is stretched to its maximum length and stomach flat.

10. Correct Standing Position
6- The head is hold up straight with chin in. do not tilt your head forward, backward, or sideways.
7- Keep your shoulder blades
back.
8- The arms are hanged loosely to the sides, palms facing sides of the body.
9- Your weight should be evenly distributed on both legs.

11. 2- KNEELING
The body is supported on the knees which may be together or slightly apart.
1- The lower leg rests on the floor with the feet planter flexed.
2- The feet may be in the mid position over the edge of the plinth.

12. 2- KNEELING
Effect: uncomfortable position for most people due to difficult balance.
Uses: as starting position for backward movements.

13. 3- SITTING the position is taken on chair or stool.
1- It is preferable to leave 2 or 3 inches of space between the back of your knees and the edge of the seat.

14. 3- SITTING
2- The height and width of seat must allow the thighs to be fully supported.
3- The hips and knees are flexed to right angle.
4- The knees are apart and feet rest on the floor.
5- Your weight should be evenly distributed on both buttocks.

15. 3- SITTING Effect: comfortable, natural, and very stable position.
Uses: for many non-weight bearing knee and foot exercises.

16. 4- LYING
This is the easiest position as the body can completely supported in the supine position and as stable as possible.

17. 4- LYING Effect: The alignment of the body is as in standing.
Breathing is impeded slightly by pressure on the posterior aspect of thorax and the pressure of the abdominal viscera on the under surface of the diaphragm is increased.
Uses: it is suitable for many exercises.

18. 5- HANGING The body is suspended by grasping over horizontal bar.
The arms straight & at least shoulder width apart and forearm being pronated.

19. 5- HANGING
- The head is held high and the scapulae are drowning down together.
- The legs and trunk hang straight with the heels together and the ankle planter flexed.
Uses: it is suitable for athletic persons with high muscle strength.

20. Derived Positions
Derived positions are positions used by modification of the arms, legs or trunk in each of fundamental position.
The aims of derived positions are:
1- To increase or decrease the base of support.
2- To rise or lower the center of gravity (COG).
3- To gain local or general relaxation.
4- To gain fixation and good control of specific area.
5- To increase or decrease the muscle work required to maintain the position.
6- To increase or decrease the leverage.

21. I- Positions derived from standing
A- By alteration of the arms.
1- Wing standing:
Hands rest on the iliac crest, fingers extended and adducted, thumbs abducted posterior.
Uses: grasp patient during exercises.

22. 2- Bend standing
The shoulders are laterally rotated and adducted strongly, the elbows are flexed and the forearms are supinated with wrists and fingers flexed to rest above the lateral border of acromion process.

23. 2- Bend standing
Effect: suitable position for subjects with weakness of shoulders abductors (as arm lever is reduced).
Uses:
Used in trunk exercises as corrective position for upper back and thorax.

24. 3- Reach Standing
The shoulders are flexed and the elbows are extended, arms are parallel in the same shoulder width.

25. 3- Reach Standing Effect:
The forward raising of the arms brings the center of gravity of the body forward and leading to extension of the lumber spine.
Uses:
Prior to some arm and trunk exercises in the
sagittal plane.
Assist balance during balance walking
sideways.

26. 4- Yard Standing
The arms are straight and elevated sideways to horizontal position.
Effect:
This position has a mechanical disadvantage, an increase of the lever. The abductors of the shoulder work at a marked mechanical disadvantage as the length of the weight arm of the lever so greatly exceeds that of the power of the arm.

27. 4- Yard Standing Uses: 1- Corrective for the posture of the upper back
2- Facilitates body balance
3- Convenient for the arm swinging exercises
4- The body is steadied for the leg and trunk exercises when one arm only is used or
when the hand grasps a support at a suitable height (1/2 yd.st.)

28. 4- Yard Standing
5- When palms are turned forwards (yd.palms f.st.) or upwards (yd.palms u.st.) the latter involving an additional lateral rotation at the shoulder joint with consequent further
bracing of the upper back muscles

29. 5- Stretch Standing
The arms are fully elevated so that they are in line with the body, parallel to each other and with palms facing forward.

30. 5- Stretch Standing Effect:
Stretched shortened muscles like pectoralis major, minor and latissimus dorsi. Leading to difficulty in respiration and impede arm circulation by gravity.

31. 5- Stretch Standing Uses:
It is unsuitable for weak patients or those who suffer from respiratory condition.
It is strongly corrective for the position of the upper back and gives a feeling of stretching the spine.

32. 5- Stretch Standing
3- Elevation of the arms raises the center of gravity of the body and affords additional leverage in many trunk exercises.
4- The hands may grasp some over-head support (str.gr.st) or the finger may be clasped (str.clasp.st.).
5- Useful to treat scoliosis.

33. Derived position from standing
B) By alteration of the legs
Achieved by change in the shaper size of the base.
1- Toe standing.
2- Stride standing.
3- Walk standing.
4- Half standing.

34. 1- Toe standing
The heels are pressed together and raised from the floor.
Effect:
The base is reduced and the center of gravity is raised.

35. Toe Standing Uses: It is used as a balance position.
There is a tendency for the whole body to stretch so it is used as treatment for postural flat feet and posture training generally.

36. 2- Stride standing
The legs are abducted and the heels are apart and remain in 45°.
Effect:
Large base lead to easy and stable position.
Uses:
Used as starting easy position for many exercises.

37. 3- Walk standing
One leg is placed forward to the same line of the other leg.
Effect:
The base is much enlarged in the antro-posterior direction stabilizing the body for exercises in a sagittal plane. Rotation of the pelvis towards the side of the forward leg is prevented by the position of the back leg.
Uses:
1- Localize rotation of the spine.
2- Tension on the hamstrings of the forward leg prevents forward tilting of the pelvis in trunk flexion exercises.

38. 4- Half standing
The whole weight of the body is supported on one leg, the other may be free or supported in a variety of the positions.
Effects:
Balance is very difficult with one leg. The free leg can rest in many positions like stool with flexed hip and knee (step st.). This position reflexes the tension of the abdominal operations.

39. 4- Half standing
Uses:
Increase tension of the hamstring of the lower leg and straightening of the lumbar spine.

40. Standing with trunk alteration
1- Stoop standing.
2- Lax stoop standing.

41. 1- Stoop Standing
The hip joints are flexed while the trunk, head and arms remain in alignment and are inclined forwards. The angles to which the trunk is inclined is usually about a right angle but depends on the tension of the hamstring which controls the forward tilting of the pelvis when the knees are straight.

42. 1- Stoop Standing Effects and Uses:
Can be used as strength position for neck and back muscles.
Training for good posture of upper back muscles.
Very difficult but gives good results.

43. 2- Lax Stoop Standing
The hips are flexed and the trunk, head and arms are relaxed so that they hang forwards and downwards. Balance is maintained by a slight plantar flexion at the ankle joints, causing a backward inclination of the leg.

44. 2- Lax Stoop Standing Effect:
The amount of forward flexion is dictated by tension which develops in the hamstring and lumbar muscles.

45. 2- Lax Stoop Standing Uses:
1- As a position for test hamstring muscle tension.
2- To train local relaxation of the upper body.
3- To assist expiration.
4- It is used prior to extension exercises of hips and spine, particularly those which occur progressively, as in uncurling to the upright position.

46. 2- Lax Stoop Standing
5- The position is unsuitable for weak or elderly patients as the dependent position of the body causes an increased blood flow to the head which may be followed by depletion on rising to the upright position and consequent feeling of giddiness.
6- When the knees are allowed to bend in the position (lax.stp.k.bd.st.), tension on the hamstring and lumbar muscles is reduced, giving a feeling of relaxation right through the body.

47. B- position Derived from Kneeling
The positions of the arms are the same as in the standing and may be added to the kneeling position as required.

48. 1- Half Kneeling
One knee supports most of the weight and other leg is bent to a right angle at hip, knee and ankle so that the foot is supported on the ground in a forward direction.

49. 1- Half Kneeling Effect and Uses:
The position is similar to the step standing and may be modified by stretching the forward leg in a sideways direction . The pelvis is well fixed in the position for trunk side bending and rotation exercises.

50. 2- Kneel Sitting
The knees and hips are flexed so that patient sits on his heels.
Uses:
Sometimes used for small children, but most people find it very uncomfortable.

51. 3- Prone Kneeling
The trunk is horizontal, supported under the shoulders by the arms, and at the pelvis by the thighs, which must be held vertical. The head is held in line with the trunk.

52. 3- Prone Kneeling Effect and Uses:
The position is stable, comfortable and suitable for many trunk and head exercises. The pelvis is free for antro-posterior and lateral movement, but fixed rotation. The body may be inclined forwards and downwards by abducting the shoulders and bending the elbows (incl.pr.kn.), this expands the thorax and localizes lateral flexion to the thoracic region.

53. 3- Prone Kneeling
Alternatively, the forearms may rest on the floor with hands together and the head resting on them; in this way weakened pelvic floor can be relieved of the weight of the viscera or the uterus may be assisted by gravity into the normal position.

54. Positions Derived from Sitting
1- Stride sitting.
2- Ride Sitting.
3-Crook Sitting.
4- Long sitting.
5- Cross Sitting
6- Side sitting.
7- High sitting.

55. 1- Stride Sitting
This is exactly similar to the fundamental position, except that the legs are abducted so that the feet are two foot-length apart.
Effect:
It increases the stability of the position, especially if the feet are pressed to the floor.

56. 1- Ride Sitting
The patient sits astride apparatus, such as gymnastic form, which may be gripped between the knees by the abductor muscles of the hips, making it a very steady position for head, arm and trunk exercises.

57. 1- Ride Sitting
When the position is taken on a high plinth (high ride sitt), the thighs may be strapped to the plinth to afford additional fixation, in which case no muscle work is required in legs.

58. 3- Crook Sitting
When sitting on floor, the knees are bent so that the feet are together and flat on the floor. The knees may be together or apart.

59. 3- Crook Sitting
Uses:
Used in treatment of kyphosis as the movement can be localized to the upper trunk.
Increases the strength of back extensors.

60. 4- Long Sitting
This is similar to the previous position, but the knees are extended so that the whole leg is supported.
Effect:
It leads to increase tension of hamstring.
Uses:
Position is difficult due to instability.

61. 5- Cross Sitting
This is also similar to crook sitting, but the ankles are crossed and the hips strongly abducted and laterally rotated, so that the lateral aspect of the knees is pressed to the floor. Tension on the hamstring muscle is reduced but the adductors of the hip are stretched.

62. 5- Cross Sitting
Uses:
It is suitable for children during head, arm and trunk exercises as the pelvis is fixed and stable.

63. 6- Side Sitting
For the left side sitting the left leg remains as in cross sitting and this hip supports the main weight of the trunk, while the right leg is abducted and medially rotated so that the lower leg is bent and to the side. The pelvis is tilted laterally to the left, and the lumbar side flexors on the right side work to keep the trunk upright.

64. 6- Side Sitting
Uses:
To increase lateral mobility of the lumbar spine or the fixation in the side bend position when treating scoliosis.

65. 7- High Sitting
The fundamental sitting position is taken on a high plinth or table but the feet remain unsupported.
Uses:
It is convenient some foot and knee exercise.

66. D- Position Derived from Lying
The same as in the standing position, the muscle work, is modified and usually reduced by the horizontal positions of the body.

67. 1- Crook Lying
From lying, the hip and knees are bent so that the feet rest on the floor or plinth. Very little muscle work is required apart from that of the abductors and medial rotation of the hips to prevent the knees from falling apart.

68. 1- Crook Lying
Tension is removed from the structure anterior to the hip joint so that the pelvis rolls backward and the lumbar spine is relaxed on to the supporting surface.
Uses:
1- To train relaxation and posture.
2- In pelvic and back exercises.

69. 2- Crook Lying with Pelvis Lifted
From the previous position, the pelvis is elevated so that the trunk rests on the shoulders and is brought into line with the thighs. A firm pillow may be used to support the buttocks, or the extensors of the hips may work to hold the position.

70. 2- Crook Lying with Pelvis Lifted
Effect:
Pressure of the viscera on the pelvis floor is relieved by the gravity as the weight of the viscera is directed backwards and upwards towards the diaphragm; because of this, breathing may be hampered slightly.
Uses:
After childbirth for strengthening pelvic labor muscles.

71. 3- Half Lying
The trunk is supported in the oblique position by inclination of the long end of the plinth, or by the arrangements of the pillows, in which the legs are supported horizontally. It is important to see that the trunk is in an alignment to avoid slumping and so, impeding respiration.

72. 3- Half Lying
Effect:
The knees may be bent to increase relaxation of the abdominal wall (crk.1/2 ly.), or the lower leg may hang over the end of the plinth with feet resting on the floor.
Uses:
1- It is much used forward exercises.
2- Relaxed and comfortable position for weak and elderly people.
3- Breathing is easier than in lying, so it is used in many chest conditions.

73. 4- Prone Lying
Lying facing downwards, the body is fully supported anteriorly on the plinth or the floor. The position may be active or relaxed.

74. 4- Prone Lying The active position:
When this is used as a static holding for posture training or prior to exercise, the head is slightly raised from the supporting surface and the shoulders are drawn down and backwards, the heels being held together and the toes are stretched.

75. 4- Prone Lying
Uses:
Unsuitable for heart and respiratory diseased patients as breathing is so restrict.
Used as corrective position for spine.
May be comfortable for young and slim people.

76. 5- Leg Prone Lying
This is taken on a high plinth, with legs being supported from the anterior superior spins to feet and stabilized by straps. The body is held in line with legs and is unsupported over the end of the plinth. A stool is in position under the trunk to afford support by the arms in the resting position.

77. 5- Leg Prone Lying Effect and Uses:
1- Care must be taken in this case to see that the fixation of the feet is firm and that it is maintained until the body is supported on the arms for the resting position.
2- Corrective position for the trunk, needs strong arms, head and back muscles.

78. 6- Side Lying
Details of this position are very considerably according to the purpose for which it is to be used.

79. 6- Side Lying
1- Using the under arm to support the head. It is an unsteady position used sometimes for strong trunk side bending exercises.

80. 6- Side Lying
2- Alternatively the shoulders may be stabilized by support from the upper arm resting on the ground or plinth in front, the legs being free for movement. When the under hip and knee are fully flexed the pelvis is relatively well-fixed, so that movements of flexion and extension can be localized to the hip joint of the uppermost leg.

81. 6- Side Lying
3- An ideal position for relaxation for many people is provided by adapting. Three pillows are required, one for the head, one for the uppermost arm and one to support leg which is bent.
4- Used in sling exercises.

82. 7- Sit Lying
The patient lies supine with the knees bent and the lower leg hanging vertically over the end of the plinth. There is a tendency for the lumbar region to extend owing to tension of the hip flexors.

83. 7- Sit Lying
Uses:
It is a difficult position due to hyperlordosis of the lumbar region.

84. E- Position Derived from Hanging
Full Hanging
The body is supported in the oblique position by the arms which grasp a horizontal bar, and by the feet while the rest of the body is inclined and straight.

85. E- Position Derived from Hanging
Effect and Uses:
The position requires very strong muscle work for the back muscle, especially the scapulae retractors, which work against gravity and the weight of the body.