Posture
James Coughlan
13/04/2015
Mr. Coughlan
1
Definition

It is the shape and alignment of
various body segments, these
segments must be aligned one above
the other in a straight line. If not this
will manifest itself in the individual
by having poor carriage and
invariably resuls in additional effort
and muscular strain for the
individual.
13/04/2015
Mr. Coughlan
2
Body Segments
•Poor posture may
predispose the subject to
certain types of injury.
•Acts as a mechanical
handicap in certain athletic
activities.
•May become injured
easily.
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Mr. Coughlan
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Defects Of Posture

Level one: Poor Stance. The
following must be in line if one has
good posture the ear lobe,
cromiom process, the lesser
trochanter of the hip, the styloid
process of the knee and the lelles
of the ankle.
 It is possible to measure the angles
and ascertain to what degree the
defect is.
 With level one defects, the subject
may be predisposed
to injury.
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Mr. Coughlan
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Level Two

Some muscles are too
long and others are too
short.
 This effects the subject
mechanically and will lead
to serious injury of
muscles, ligaments and
tendons.
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Mr. Coughlan
5
Level Three

Defects of the bone.
 Knock knees or bow
legs.
 Babies may be born
with one leg longer than
the other and this
defect might require
corrective surgery.
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Mr. Coughlan
6
Abducted Scapulae
Shoulders are rounded because
muscles in the chest region are too
long and too strong.
 Students who grow too quickly and
become conscious of their height.
 Prop forwards.
 Poor study habits.
 This condition can lead to Kyphosis.

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Mr. Coughlan
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Abucted Scapulae

This condition is similar to
rounded shoulders. (Push
ups?)
 The scapulae are abducted.
 The correction requires
strengthening of the
adductor muscles, the
rhomboids and the
trapezius. (Highlighted)
 Prop forwards tend to suffer
from this condition.
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Mr. Coughlan
8
Kyphosis

This is an exageration or
increase in the amount of
the normal convexity of the
thoracic region of the
spine.
 Do not give the subject
exercises to build up the
muscles in the front, as
they are already too long.
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Mr. Coughlan
9
Causes





Muscles in the front of the body are too
long and those at the back are too weak.
Lack of strength of these muscles causes
too much flexion.
Antagonistic muscles become too
comfortable in this position and results in
the subject becoming crouched.
Reading in a crouched position.
Correction: Extensors must be
strengthened. Force your back against a
wall for one minute intervals.
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Mr. Coughlan
10
Scoliosis
This is a lateral
deviation of the
spine .
 This means that the
spine is not in a
straight line.
 Notice the shape of
the spine.

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Mr. Coughlan
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C - SCOLIOSIS






In this condition the body leans
excessively to one side.
It is due to asymmetrical weight bearing
caused by poor habits or structural
irregularities.
Standing on one leg.
Thrusting the hip to one side until the
weight is over one hip.
Hands - pull the back of the head.
Proper warm ups.
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Mr. Coughlan
12
Lordosis

This is an inward
curvature of the back
resultung in an
outward curvature of
the stomach.
 If not corrected,
becomes worse as
the person gets
older.
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Mr. Coughlan
13
Other Defects

Pronation: The feet turn out
because the tibia becomes
twisted – noted in some ballet
dancers.
 Tibia Tortion: the feet turn in
towards each other
 Knock knees: knees are
excessively pointing towards
each other.
 Bow legs: the tibia and fibula
become bowed. Mr. Coughlan
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Flat Feet

If you wet your foot and walk across a
blackboard placed on the floor.
 If you leave a blob of water on the floor,
this indicates fallen arches.
 If you leave two distinct blobs of water as
an imprint, then your feet are in a good
state.
 Stand on heels and toes and strengthen
the ligaments of the foot.
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Mr. Coughlan
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Petosis

If the abdomen is weak, the
muscles become flabby
and the abdominal muscles
hang from the body.
 Strengten the abdominal
muscles including the
external obliques.
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Mr. Coughlan
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