The Importance of Posture

This is my classmate and friend Pinal. Ironically, she exemplified poor posture while studying for our Biomechanics class. 

Yogis in training! 

My cousin, Aniston, preparing to hit a home-run!

     Since I love softball and played for many years, I thought it would be fitting to analyze my cousin's batting stance. In this photo, her pelvis is slightly tilted posteriorly. This tilt along with flexion at the hip joint causes excessive lengthening of the lower back muscles and shortening of the anterior abdominal muscles. In regards to spinal curvature, there is decreased lumbar lordosis and increased thoracic kyphosis. The scapulae are on line with the spine, and the head is rotated and anteriorly shifted in relation to the spine. The left femur is slightly internally rotated, and the right femur is slightly externally rotated. 

    Aniston's feet are wider than her shoulders, increasing her base of support. An increased base of support increases stability despite her leaning forward. Although this is a stable position, it provides opportunity for mobility, especially for the upper extremities. This position also allows for quick changes in movement, which is necessary for a powerful swing. A batting stance should be comfortable, and you should be able to maintain this position for a minute or two. This is not a position you would want to hold for an extended period of time because it does not support proper alignment of the spine, and there is increased pressure placed on the knee and hips joints. There is also increased pressure placed on the back muscles due to decreased lumbar lordosis. 

    Proper posture is important because it affects many areas of our body. Maintaining the same posture for long periods of time can lead to many complications such as pressure sores, muscle weakness, and more. As an OT, I will discuss tips for proper posture depending on how they spend the majority of their time. For example, someone who spends a lot of time on their feet should aim to stand straight and tall. Their head should remain as level as possible and their weight should be evenly distributed between their two feet. On the contrary, someone who spends a lot of time sitting should aim to keep both feet on the floor and have approximately 90 degrees of hip and knee flexion. They should also aim to keep their gaze and pelvis neutral. Lastly, it is also important to maintain proper posture while lifting heavy items. Proper lifting technique includes flat feet, keeping the weight close to your body, and maintaining an erect spine. Bending should occur at the legs instead of the spine. People who lift heavy items on a regular basis should be especially mindful of this due to an increased risk for injury. 

    In summary, proper posture is something we could all be a little more mindful of. Proper alignment leads to increased functionality and quality of life! 

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