POSTURE BY MIN^ED ACADEMY

1. Posture
Dr. Soumya Nair (PT)

2. Definition
• Posture is the attitude assumed by the body either with support
during muscular inactivity, or by means of the coordinated action
of many muscles working to maintain stability or to form an
essential basis which is being adapted constantly to the
movement which is superimposed on it.

3. Posture acronym
• P= pelvis is neutral with weight distributed
• 0= on the whole foot
• S= stable joints
• T= tight abdominals
• U= upright ribs
• R= retracted shoulders
• E= ear over shoulder

5. Types of postures
1.Inactive postures
2.Active postures
oStatic postures
oDynamic postures

6. Inactive postures
• Resting
• Sleeping
All the essential muscular activity required to maintain life is reduced to minimum.
Only the essential body functions like respiration and circulation are being carried
out
Used for training general relaxation
Freedom for respiration
Least possible work for heart muscle.

7. Active postures
Integrated actions of many muscles are required
•Two types included:
{1} Static
{2} Dynamic

8. Static postures
• A constant pattern of posture
• Interaction of groups of muscles
• Work more or less statically
• Stabilize the joint
• Opposition to gravity and other forces
• Preserve a state of equilibrium

9. Dynamic postures
•Form an efficient basis of movement
•Pattern of posture constantly modified
•Adjusted to meet changing circumstances
•Keep on changing as a result of movement

10. POSTURAL MECHANISM
•It involves :
{1}The Muscles
{2} Nervous control

12. The muscles
• Muscle work varies in intensity and distribution both for static and dynamic
postures
• Pattern of movement
• Physical characteristics of individual
• Antigravity muscles are the most employed group of muscles

13. Antigravity muscles
• Most frequently employed for postural mechanism
• Used to maintain erect posture of body
• Working to counteract the effects of gravity
• Action with regard to joints is usually extention
• Perform action with efficiency and minimum effort
• Form of the muscles:
Multipennate and fan shaped
Powerful action
• Most of the constituents are “RED” fibres >>capability of sustained
contraction without fatigue due to low metabolic rate of action (their
contraction in response to stimulation is slow but can be sustained for a
considerable amount of time.

14. Nervous control
Neuromuscular coordination
Appropriate muscles innervated by very complex reflex
system

15. Postural reflexes
• A reflex ;an efferent response to an afferent stimulus
• Here:
Efferent response: motor response antigravity muscles primary effector
organs
Afferent stimuli: All over the body; most important receptors being situated in
muscles themselves, the eyes and ears.

16. {1}The muscles :
Neuromuscular and neurotendinous spindles within the muscles record changing
tension.
Increased tension  stimulation  reflex contraction of muscle  myotatic or stretch
reflex
{2}The eyes:
Visual sensation records alteration in position of the body with regard to surroundings
Forms receptors for righting reflexes[enable head and body to restore themselves to
erect position
{3}The ears:
Movement of head  Inner ear  semicircular canals  movement of fluid 
stimulation of receptors of vestibular nerve
{4} Joint structure:
Weight bearing position – Approximation of bones
Stimulates receptors in joint structure
Elicits reflex reactions
Maintain the position

17. POSTURE
GOOD POSTURE
• Efficient
• Minimum muscular effort
• Perfect alignment in static postures
• Constant readjustment during
dynamic postures
• No Energy wastage
POOR POSTURE
• Inefficient
• Unnecessary muscular effort
• Faulty alignment in static postures
• Compensatory adjustments during
dynamic postures
• Energy wastage occurs

19. Good posture
• Efficient posture is natural
• Essential mechanisms for maintenance and adjustment are intact and
healthy
• Chief factors:
{i} stable psychological background
{ii} good hygienic conditions
{iii} plenty of natural free movement

21. Poor posture
• Inefficient Mental attitude of person
• Poor hygiene conditions
• General debility
• Chronic illness
• Prolonged fatigue
• Pain, weakness, stress and tension
• Faulty idea of good posture inefficient pattern by voluntary efforts

23. Establishment of good posture
• Does not emerge as result of adjustment
• Built up gradually and progressively from complete relaxation
• State of balanced tension
• Much concentration required at first then the effort and tension are progressively
reduced by repetition
• Pattern is simplified and becomes more efficient
• Sequential passage of coordinating impulses on the neuromuscular pathways is
facilitated.
• After sufficient repetition and precision, the new and satisfactory pattern of posture
becomes habitual
• No longer requires voluntary control
• Maintained by conditional reflex (occurrence reinforced by presentation of
unconditional stimulus.