POSTURE

ASSESSING STANDING POSTURE FROM BEHIND

PART OF THE BODY Ear level/hair line

CHANGES

PART OF THE BODY Skin creases

CHANGES Shoulder level/cervical spine Level of pelvic rim, ASIS, belt line

Inferior level of scapular

Buttock creases

Overall spinal alignment

Knee creases/muscle bulk

Keyhole

Mid line/achilles angle

Adam’s position

Foot position

Images courtesy of Norris, C.M. (2009) The Complete Guide to Abdominal Training. AC Black. StandingPostureAssessmentForm.indd 1 Figure 2: Assessing standing posture from behind form 28/4/11 14:35:50

patella is pressed on to the patellar surface of the femur below, which can worsen the condition in a patient with patellofemoral pain.

The position of the greater trochanter, pelvis and lumbar spine is important for low back pain. Postural changes can increase or reduce the depth of the lumbar curve (lordosis), changing disc pressure and facet joint loading within the lumbar spine. The shoulder should lie on the posture line, but commonly it is pulled forwards due to slouching in sitting and driving postures in daily life. This body position can lead to tightness in the anterior shoulder and chest muscles. A forward-lying shoulder posture can also be the result of increased curvature of the thoracic spine, forward tilting of the scapula, or anterior shift of the head of the humerus (ball) within the

www.exerciseregister.org glenoid cavity at the shoulder joint (socket).

From behind, the posture line should bisect the body into two symmetrical halves. From the ground, the spread of the heel tissue and height of the foot arches should be equal. Many foot conditions require the use of orthotic supports to change foot alignment, and foot exercises to strengthen the foot musculature are an often forgotten aspect of fitness. Calf bulk should be the same on each side, with the knee creases level and kneecaps facing in the same direction. Look for symmetry of muscle bulk. It is common for one calf to be larger than the other, especially following an injury, and the angulation of the patellae can suggest changes in patella position relative to the underlying femur or rotation of the leg from the hip or foot.

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