FIT-211: KINESIOLOGY

Posture Screening

The following information on Posture Screening is taken from the previous edition of your textbook:

1. Kinesiology; Scientific Basis of Human Motion, 11 ed. McGraw Hill, New York. Hamilton, N.; Weimar, W.; Luttgens, K. (2008). ISBN: 0-07-814748-4

Although human posture is of necessity dynamic in nature, in some instances it is beneficial to examine the static standing posture of individuals. Posture screening is one tool that may be used to evaluate the standing posture for signs of major misalignments, those that may eventually lead to problems in movement, deterioration of health, or tendency to injury.

An optimal standing posture might be described with reference to the line of gravity. Segments should be placed so that the line of gravity falls slightly anterior to the lateral malleolus and the midline of the knee joint when the knee is fully extended, slightly posterior to the hip joint axis when the hip is fully extended, and anterior to the sacroiliac joints. There is some question as to whether the line should also pass through the bodies of the lumbar and cervical vertebrae or should pass through the inflection points of the three vertebral curves. For most individuals, this alignment is controlled by the ligaments and a few appropriate muscle groups, requiring a minimal effort to maintain an erect stance.

To ascertain whether an individual has a significant postural deviation, a quick posture screening might be appropriate. The following steps need to be included:

1. The individual to be screened should wear minimal clothing (such as a bathing suit or leotard) and no shoes.
2. The individual should assume a comfortable stance. The examiner must be far enough away to view the entire body at once.
3. Observation of the relationship of the anatomical landmarks to the line of gravity is made from the side. A hanging plumb line can help in this observation.
4. Observation of the alignment of the foot, ankle, and knee is made from the front.
5. observation for lateral deviations of the spine and unequal levels in the pelvis and shoulders are made from the rear. if scoliosis (lateral deviation) is present, one side of the back will be more prominent than the other when the individual is asked to flex the trunk.

Screening in front of a matrix expedites observation of any deviations. Marked deviations observed during static screening may be indicative of increased risk of injury. for example, when the knees, ankles, and feet are not in line, forces transmitted during running or jumping may be directed laterally, causing knee injury. Exaggerated spinal curvatures will also result in alteration of the normal transmission of forces. A serious deviation may cause significant changes in muscle strength or usage.

All misalignments create excess tensions unless the misalighment occurs as the result of “hanging from one’s ligaments.” However this hanging phenomenon may eventually result in stretching fo the legametns and loss of support for

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