Provide anatomy and
physiology advice to clients
The vertebral column
The vertebral column
• The vertebral column, also known as the spine is
a flexible structure that supports the trunk. The
spine extends from the skull to the pelvis where
it transmits the weight of the trunk to the lower
limbs. It also protects the delicate spinal cord
and provides attachment points for the ribs and
for the muscles of the back and neck. When you
look at the image in this slide you can see that
the spine is a sinusoid shape. This curvature
gives much greater flexibility and resilience to
the spine than if it were a ram rod shape.
Vertebrae
• There are 7 vertebrae in the cervical or
neck region and 12 in the thoracic region.
And we have 5 in our lumbar region. As a
fitness instructor you may see structural
deviations in some people’s spine. These
are now described.
Ideal postural alignment
• An ideal posture is holding your body
upright against gravity in the most efficient
way. This means that the centre of gravity
is located through our head, spine and
pelvis in a balanced way. Bad posture
results when the spine is not correctly
aligned and muscles have to work harder
to hold the body up against gravity. Look
carefully at the slide to see an ideal
alignment of the centre of gravity.
Postural Deviations-scoliosis
• Scoliosis or “twisted disease” is an abnormal
lateral curvature that occurs in the thoracic
region. It involves a bend to the right. It is more
common in late childhood and is mostly found in
girls. If the muscles on one side of the body are
not as functional as those on the other side, then
the unbalanced force pulls the spine out of
alignment. Scoliosis is treated with body braces
before growth is completed. Failure to do this
will cause a permanent deformity and breathing
difficulties due to a compressed lung.
Postural deviations-Kyphosis
• Kyphosis is also known as hunchback. It
arises because of an exaggerated thoracic
curvature. Sometimes osteoporosis can
cause this or it can be caused by other
medical conditions that cause the spine to
curve.
Postural deviations-lordosis
• Lordosis is also called “swayback” and can
arise from clinical conditions that affect
spine shape. Sometimes people can
develop a temporary lordosis because
they carry a large load in their stomach
like excess stomach fat or pregnancy.
They throw their shoulders back in an
attempt to preserve their centre of gravity.
Supporting ligaments
• Ligaments and disks support the spine. The major
ligaments supporting the spine are the anterior and
posterior longitudinal ligaments. These run as
continuous bands down the front and back surface of the
spine. The broad interior ligament is attached strongly to
both the vertebrae and disks, whilst the posterior
ligament is attached weakly to the discs. The disks
themselves as shock absorbers. Severe physical trauma
to the spine, such as lifting a heavy load, can make the
spongy nucleus push through the annulus fibrosus and
press onto the spinal cord. This will naturally result in
pain and is called a slipped disk.
Forward head position
• Sometimes you may come across a client
who is “poking their head forward”. This is
related to thoracic spine kyphosis.
Kyphosis results in round shoulders and
the consequence of this is that people
have their head forward relative to their
shoulders.
Forward head posture
Posterior pelvic tilt
• The pelvis is like a bucket and if the
bucket is tipped backwards then the
vertebral column becomes out of
alignment leading to a decreased lordosis.
To compensate, people with this condition
bend their knees and often poke their
head out as another compensatory
mechanism. Posture can be corrected by
stretching tight muscles and strengthening
weak ones.
Posterior pelvic tilt
Anterior pelvic tilt
• This occurs when the bucket tips forward
and the knees hyperextend. Increased
lumbar lordosis and a compensatory
thoracic kyphosis results. Once again it
can be corrected through stretching and
muscle strengthening exercises.
Anterior pelvic tilt
Genu varum and valgum
• Genu varum is bowleggedness at the
knees. It is a genetic consequence where
the neck of the femur is at a different angle
than normal. Surgery is used to correct
severe cases.
• Genu valgum occurs when knees knock.
This is related to weakness of the external
femoral rotators and strengthening
exercises can be used to correct.
Genu Varum
Genu Valgus
Increased pronation
• This is “flat footedness” and this is where
the heel glides outwards causing a
collapse of the foot. It is also related to
alignment of the femur and strength of the
femoral rotator muscles. It can be
corrected by strengthening the muscles
and attention to orthotics.
Pronation of the foot
Activity
• As a group assess each other’s posture
both standing up and sitting down.