Affiliations: [a] Department of Anatomy and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic | [b] Department of Motion Science, Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Westfälische Wilhelms University, Münster, Germany | [c] Department of Sports Medicine and Health Promotion, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Ivana Jelínková, Department of Anatomy and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Charles University, José Martího 31, Prague 162 00, Czech Republic. Tel.: +420 608 536 717; E-mail:jelinkova.iva@centrum.cz
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Actual studies show increasing poor
posture especially in the cervical-thoracic spine. The aim of this study was
to develop a model-based evaluation of posture and the amount of segmental
spinal movement using a simple movement test. METHODS: Twenty-five subjects with forward head posture were
recruited. We were interested in the external humeral rotation with the
adduction of the shoulder, its influence on posture of the cervical thoracic
spine and the evaluation of upright posture. Upright posture was
determined as the change in the gradient of the trunk from forward posture
to erect posture. The kinematics of the cervical-thoracic spine and
the inclination of the pelvis and thorax were measured in the sagittal plane
with a motion analysis system. RESULTS: The kinematic model for the evaluation of upright posture
and as a control the electromyography was presented. Correlation (Pearson r
= 0.89; p < 0.01) was achieved between the gradients of the trunk in the
initial and final position. CONCLUSION: The postural quality was more important than the
quantity of spinal movement. Upright posture of the cervical-thoracic spine
was provoked only if there was horizontal position of the pelvis and thorax.
This should be considered in clinical practice.
