FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENTS: POSTURE, MOVEMENT, CORE, BALANCE, AND FLEXIBILITY
CHAPTER 7
the superior, anterior portion of the pelvis forward and downward, spilling water out of the front of the bucket, whereas a posterior tilt rotates the superior, posterior portion of the pelvis backward and downward, spilling water out of the back of the bucket. Figure 7-12 illustrates the alignment of the anterior superior iliac spine and posterior superior iliac spine in neutral alignment, as well in anterior and posterior pelvic tilts.
Figure 7-11
Anterior and posterior tilting of the pelvis— sagittal (side) view
Back Front Back Front Back Front
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Neutral pelvic position
Anterior pelvic tilt
Posterior pelvic tilt
Figure 7-12 Alignment of the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and pubic bone
Source: LifeART image copyright 2008 Wolters
Kluwer Health, Inc., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
APPLY WHAT YOU KNOW
PELVIC TILT An anterior pelvic tilt will increase lordosis in the lumbar spine, whereas a posterior pelvic tilt will reduce the amount of lordosis in the lumbar spine. To demonstrate this point, a personal trainer can stand with hands placed on the hips and gently tilt his or her pelvis anteriorly, noticing the change in position and increase in muscle tension in the lumbar region. Likewise, the trainer can tilt the pelvis posteriorly and notice how the lumbar spine flattens and reduces tension in the lumbar extensors.
Tight or overdominant hip flexors are generally coupled with tight erector spinae muscles (Figure 7-13), producing an anterior pelvic tilt, while tight or overdominant rectus abdominis muscles are generally coupled with tight hamstrings, producing a
