Postures
Anne George, Oluwatobi Samuel Oluwafemi, Blessy Joseph, Sabu Thomas, Sebastian Mathew, V. Raji in Holistic Healthcare, 2017
Posture is defined as the characteristic of how a person holds his or her body while standing, sitting, sleeping, or working.1 We spend at least one third of our life sleeping or lying in bed. Studies have shown that deprivation of sleep or having poor, sleep can lead to deteriorating health outcomes including coronary heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. It can also lead to lack of concentration, tension headaches, and migraines. Sleeping with a bad posture2 can lead to headaches and also reduced cervical, lumber, and hip functionality. The Better Sleep Council has said that there are basically three main sleeping positions with different variations of each. The best sleeping postures and their benefits are discussed in this chapter. Those who are working on computers or sitting in front of a screen and are not sitting correctly, could result in long-term pain and disability. The correct sitting position in front of a computer screen is discussed. Incorrect standing posture can lead to some long-term serious issues later in life.4
Disorders of Sensation, Motion, and Body Schema
Rolland S. Parker in Concussive Brain Trauma, 2016
Stance is defined as the posture and general orientation of a person standing. The writer defines posture as the position of the body when standing as modified by muscular effort to offer a certain appearance (or lacking effort to stand erect), injuries (bone, soft tissues, nerves) pain, fatigue, and compensation for a balance disorder. Receptive and perceptual difficulties can cause adoption of head tilts or turns and shifts in posture. This creates or complicates problems of balance when standing and walking, of which patients are often unaware (Suter, 2004). Inappropriate interactions among the sensory inputs can cause a balance deficiency (e.g., excessive dependency upon one sense can cause intersensory conflict). Although posture is a sensorimotor activity, when instructed to stand “as still as possible,” persons with lesser TBI showed electroencephalogram (EEG) changes, from which it was inferred that this instruction is a cognitive load (Thompson, 2006). A general muscular concept important in all activities is tone, which is defined as the unconscious and automatic induction of muscle power in response to an applied load. Power is the maximum force that can be generated by any stimulus or provocation, whether voluntary or reflexive, or normal or pathological. Diminished muscle power is more evidence for involvement of the motor unit rather than centrally. Fatigue has several causes: central perception of mood (weariness or sleepiness) and progressive loss of contraction from tetanic muscle stimulation (high-frequency stimulation causing contraction fusion) (Crawford, 2004).
Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndromes
Mark V. Boswell, B. Eliot Cole in Weiner's Pain Management, 2005
Correcting poor body posture and alignment is an important component of treating patients with MPS, even when posture seemingly may not be directly related to the region of musculoskeletal pain. Core (trunk) stabilization as part of a closed kinetic chain rehabilitation allows optimal control of the lumbopelvic complex and improves the recovery of persons with a kinetic chain dysfunction manifest as a postural stress syndrome (Clark, Fater, & Reuteman, 2000). Good posture minimizes stress and improves efficiency in the use of muscles (Sahrmann, 1988). The physical therapist needs to determine on an individual basis whether manual therapy procedures should precede postural corrections or vice versa. In some instances, joint and myofascial restrictions must be removed prior to any postural corrections. Without the mobilizations, shortened muscles may restrict movement so much that treatment to correct postural abnormalities may not succeed. In other cases, patients may be able to alter their posture prior to or even without any manual therapy (Dommerholt & Norris, 1996).
Influence of regular dance practice on the postural stability during quiet standing in healthy women
Published in Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 2019
T. Marin, N. Houel, T. Begou-Mazenc, A. Brikci, Wh. Bertucci
Posture is defined as the orientation of body segments against one another and against gravity. During quiet standing, the body oscillates mostly in the horizontal plane. Stabilometry is the quantification of these oscillations, it is designed to evaluate postural stability. It is usually done by measuring the displacements of the center of pressure using a platform, or by modelling the body center of mass (bCOM) through kinematic or dynamic equipment. Postural stability is studied as a way to assess postural control, which relies on musculoskeletal properties as well as complex neurological patterns and reactions. Multiple postural afferences are involved (proprioceptors, interoceptors, plantar soles, inner ears, eyes). For example, it is well known that closing the eyes leads to greater postural oscillations. Medical history (acute or chronic injuries or diseases, surgeries, etc.) as well as daily habits such as physical exercise have been shown to influence postural control as well. Male professional dancers have better postural control than untrained subjects (Golomer et al. 1999), and stabilometry can distinguish professional and amateur dancers (Rein et al. 2011). The purpose of this study is to verify the hypothesis that regular dance practice influences healthy women postural stability during quiet standing.
A comparison of muscle activity, posture and body discomfort during the use of different computer screen sizes
Published in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2023
Praphatson Sengsoon, Kanruethai Siriworakunsak
The ergonomic assessment with RULA showed no statistically significant difference after 15, 30, 45 and 60 min of testing within and between groups. The use of a computer with both screen sizes showed that ergonomic risk factors were no different, which was possible because in this study an ergonomic posture was established before starting the test. This was consistent with previous studies that good posture and good ergonomics can help prevent risk factor affecting WMSDs [31]. In addition, consistent with a previous study, it is determined that a good sitting posture based on ergonomics principles can decrease energy expenditure and results in no significant difference when compared with a supine posture [32]. Moreover, a previous study found that the position and orientation of the eyes, hands and feet that differ from ergonomic settings affected the head, neck, arm, leg and trunk posture. Good posture enhanced good stability and balance, which decreased musculoskeletal problems and muscle fatigue. In addition, good posture alignment promoted force exertion, which is related to muscle and joint performance [33]. Thus, the ergonomics workstation setting of the two screens was not different. Compared with a previous study, it was determined that sitting for 89 min during computer use affected the viewing angles, which changed the posture [10]. However, this study investigated a high monitor position and did not focus on the ergonomics setting.
Effect of physical activity intervention on the musculoskeletal health of university student computer users during homestay
Published in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2023
Rahul Jain, Vibhor Verma, Kunj Bihari Rana, Makkhan Lal Meena
For all sectors in developed countries and developing countries, MSDs are the most general reason for work-related health issues [21]. Musculoskeletal conditions represent almost half of all job-related sicknesses and are the main reasons for missed tasks, higher working expenses and human injuries [22]. The other primary reason for occupational non-attendance is musculoskeletal injury. According to previous studies, about 40% of workers’ compensation is associated with MSDs [23,24]. These disorders begin with muscles feeling fatigued and achy. It may increase sickness in which reduced limb movement or muscle strength and endurance can be perceived [24]. Prevention of MSDs has become especially relevant in recent years, as these disorders are maintained using ergonomics [25]. If a workplace and working tasks trigger MSDs, they are termed work-related MSDs [26]. The main risk factor is poor posture among the risk variables for work-related MSDs [27–29]. Improved working posture can lower the risk of MSDs, improve health, minimize stress and discomfort, and increase productivity and performance [30,31].
Related Knowledge Centers
- Posture
- Supine Position
- Prone Position
- Body
- Gesture
- Childbirth Positions
- Squatting Position
- Sitting
- Seiza
- Fetal Position