KINESIOLOGY

Lesson 11
Posture

M Farrukh Shahzad
BSPT, PPDPT

Review
Posture
Inactiveposture
Activeposture
Staticposture
Dynamicposture

PosturalMechanism
Muscles
Nervouscontrol
Posturalreflex

PatternofPosture

Goodposture
Developmentofgoodposture
Poorposture
Factorspredisposingtopoorposture

PrincipalsofReEducation
TechniquesofReEducation
Abnormalpostures
Physiologicalapplicationtoposturaltone

Posture
The attitude that the body assumes is known as

posture
It is also known as an indication of the
soundness of the musculoskeletal system
To the Kinesiologist, it is a measure of

mechanical efficiency of muscles, balance and

of neuromuscular coordination.

Posture
It is considered as the relative arrangement of

parts of the body. It changes with the positions

and movements of the body throughout life
and throughout the day.
It is the attitude which is assumed by body

parts to maintain stability and balance with

minimum effort and least strain during
supportive and non supportive positions.

Posture

Inactive posture
Attitudes adopted for rest or sleep
Muscular activity which is required to

maintain the life reduced to minimum

Active posture
There will be integrated action of many

muscles to maintain the posture it could be

Static posture
Dynamic posture

Static Posture
A constant pattern of posture is maintained by the
interaction of groups of muscles which work more or less
statically to stabilize the joints and in opposition to the
gravity or other forces. In erect posture they preserve a
state of equilibrium
Dynamic posture
Attitudes assumption while performing different activities
is known as dynamic posture. Dynamic posture makes the
efficient base for the movement to occur. Pattern of posture
constantly modified and adjusted to meet the changing
circumstances which arise from the result of movement.

The Postural Mechanism

Muscles
Intensity and distribution of the muscle work
required in both static and dynamic postures
varies considerably with the pattern of the
movement, and physical characteristics of the
individuals who assumes it
The group of muscles mostly employed/work are
those which are used to maintain the erect
position of the body by working to counteract the
effects of gravity

Muscles
These muscles are known as anti gravity
muscles and their action with regard to the
joint is mostly extension
The antigravity muscles present certain
structural characteristics that enable them to
perform their function with efficiency and
minimum of effort

Muscles
1. Anti gravity muscle fibres are red this indicated
their capability to produce sustained contraction
without fatigue
2. They are slow in action. This is because they have

low metabolic rate of action

3. Other muscle fibres are white they are fast is

action and got fatigue early because of their higher

metabolic rate of action.

Muscles
These muscles are multi-pinnate or fan shaped. This
signifies their strength of action.
They work at low speed as compare to other muscles
which work at high speed and got fatigued earlier.
e.g gastronemius is an anti gravity muscle it can
produce sustained contraction for longer period
without fatigue in comparison with it soleous is
the muscle whose function is to push the foot off the
ground is a fast acing muscle and got fatigued early

Nervous control of posture

Posture are maintained or adopted as a result
of neuromuscular co-ordination
The appropriate muscles being innervated by

means of a very complex reflex mechanism

Nervous control
Postural reflexes
Simply reflex is an efferent response to an afferent
stimulus
Regarding posture efferent response is a motor

response means the anti gravity muscles are the

effecter organs
Afferent stimuli arise from the variety of the sources

all over the body.

Afferent Sources For Stimulus

The Muscles
Neuromuscular and neurotendinuous spindle
within the muscles record changing tension .
Increased tension or stretch act as a stimulus to
initiate a reflex contraction of the muscles.

Afferent Sources For Stimulus

The eyes:
Visual sensation records any alteration or
deviation in the position of the body with
regard to its surroundings.
Eyes are one of the receptors for the rightening
reflexes.
Rightening reflex enable the head and body to
restore themselves to erect position.

Afferent Sources For Stimulus

The Ears:
There are semicircular canals present in the internal ears
which contains the fluid in them .
Stimulation of the vestibular nerve results from the
movement of the fluid within the semicircular canals.
Each canal lies at different plane which is at right angle
to each other.
Any movement of the head disturbs the fluid in the canal.
Thus knowledge of the movement and direction in which
it takes place got recorded.

Afferent Sources For Stimulus

Joints structure:
In weight bearing the approximation of the
bone/joint surfaces takes place and joints.
This approximation stimulates the structures in
the joints and elicit the reflex reaction to
maintain the position.

Pattern of posture
Pattern of posture (static, dynamic) gradually

build up by the integration of many reflexes

which together make up the postural reflex.
Some reflexes are inborn.
Some are conditioned (developed as the result
of constant repetition of postures maintained
by voluntary control.

Good Posture
Posture is good when it fulfils the purpose for
which it is used with the maximum efficiency and
minimum effort.
A good posture is the state of muscular and
skeletal balance which protects the supporting
structures of the body against injury and
progressive deformities, irrespective of the
attitude in which these structures are working or
resting.

Good Posture
Under these conditions, the muscles will function most
efficiently and the optimum positions are afforded for
the thoracic and abdominal organs.
There is no single best posture for all individuals. Each
person must take the body he / she has and make the best
of it. The good Posture is the one that suits ones own
condition and the condition of the environment.
e.g. during attention. The normal posture will be erect,
while in extreme fatigue, the normal posture will be that
conserves energy.

Development of good posture

Essential mechanisms for the maintenance and
adjustments of good posture are intact (working
properly) and healthy
These factors are following
A stable psychological background
Good hygienic conditions
Opportunity for plenty of natural free
movements

Poor posture
Poor posture is the posture that results from
certain muscles tightening up or shortening
while others lengthen and become weak.
This often occurs as a result of ones daily
activities.

Poor posture
There are different factors which can impact on
posture and they include
occupational activities
biomechanical factors such as force and
repetition.
psychosocial factors such as job stress and strain.
Workers who have higher job stress are more
likely to develop neck and shoulder symptoms.

Factors predisposing to poor posture

General factors
Mental attitude of the patient
Poor hygienic conditions
General debility after constitutional illness
Prolonged fatigue

Principles of Re-education
Measures taken by the physiotherapist to

combat poor posture and train better posture

depends on
The root cause
Co-operation of the patient

Principles of Re-education
Bad posture can be caused by:
Mental attitude
Poor hygienic conditions

Principles of Re-education
Postural defects rarely lead to marked

structural changes in the body

However if they are sustained for a long time
it may lead to changes in the joints, muscles
and ligaments as they adapt to the habitual
positions
Muscles can lead to:
Adaptive shortening
Lengthening
Weakness

Principles of Re-education
These changes make it very difficult for

patient to assume good posture in the future

Relaxation and mobility exercises help to train
good posture
A mental awareness of holding good posture
and that good posture will have benefits will
enable the patient to change

Principles of Re-education
Local conditions which result in an alteration

in posture can be removed

Patient can assume a new habit of posture

which is better and maintain it through

voluntary effort

Techniques of Re-education
Atmosphere give to patient is of great

importance during postural re-education

Physiotherapist must gain co-operation by
his/her manner and approach
Patient must feel that the acquisition of good

posture is worth while

Efforts made will be noticed and appreciated
while difficulties can be overcome

Techniques of Re-education
Individual instruction is essential as no two

patients are identical

Later on a group instruction in a re-education

program is enjoyable and helps the patient feel

stimulated by working with others

Relaxation
The ability to relax is essential to improve posture
Some degree of useless tension is nearly always
associated with poor posture
Voluntary relaxation of specific muscle groups

can be taught and practised

Patient needs to learn the difference between

tension and relaxation

Relaxation
Excessive use of arms are demanded in many
occupation and house hold activities
Washing clothes, cooking, cleaning
Using the computer
Driving
This may develop tension in the shoulder and
neck area

Examples of relaxation
Crook lying
Prone lying
Prone lying, head raising and lowering
Sitting: Shoulder shrugging and retraction

followed by relaxation
Physiological relaxation can be used in the
treatment of occupational induced tensions

Mobility
Maintenance of normal mobility is essential to
a wide variety of postures assumed
Abnormally high levels of mobility is a
liability rather advantage
It requires higher muscular effort for control
and can lead to the development of poor
posture

Mobility
Normal mobility is maintained by free exercise
which are rhythmical and induce full range of
motion movements
Emphasis is laid on full extension movements
which is liable to limitation in most joints except
for the lumbar spine
If joints have become limited in motion than
exercises targeting increased mobility should be
done

Mobility
Exercises that increase respiratory effort are
also very essential
Hanging position give good body alignment
and are enjoyed by children

Muscle power
General muscle weakness is rarely the root
cause of poor posture
Muscular development helps maintain efficiency
and the ability to withstand stresses and strains
imposed on the body
When muscles are short or accompanied by joint
stiffness than exercises to ensure relaxation and
restoration of muscular balance are essential

Muscle power
Example:
Work for back extensors and scapula retractors

is required during re education

Presentation of good posture

Physiotherapist must be an the example for the
patient to follow
Videos can be shown on good posture to
motivate patient
Mirror can be used to show patient difference
between good and bad posture

The head
An upward thrust of the vertex in an upright
position may be sufficient to achieve
satisfactory alignment
Provided unnecessary tension does not
develop elsewhere
In beginning stages, thrust can be developed in
lying and inclined positions

Pelvic tilt
Voluntary control of the pelvis teaches the
patient to be aware in any deviation of the
normal position
Can be trained in crook lying and later in
sitting and standing

Feet
Painless, mobile, strong feet form a good base
for which body is supported and balanced
Foot arches should be balanced so that weight
of the body is distributed evenly to all areas of
the feet
Bracing of the aches can be practised with or
without weight bearing

Abnormal Postures