Question

Write a short note on Posture.

Answer 1

The meaning of posture varies from individual to individual. One posture which may be considered good for one may not hold true for another. It is near impossible to lay-down strict or absolute standard for a universally good posture. There is no definite form, shape or standard for any part of the human body or for the body as a whole. The single, rigid body mechanics specification for all, regardless of body type or other factors which influence the human form, is scientifically unsupportable. Hence, there can be no single good posture.

Posture means position or pose and a multi-segmented organism such as human body cannot said to have a single posture. It assumes many postures and seldom holds any of them for an appreciable time.

1. Correct posture of standing: Standing position of an individual is generally considered as the basic posture from which all his other postures stem. Erect standing posture is not literally static, in reality it is movement upon a stationary base. The application of the principles of stability to a standing position i.e. balanced and free from muscular and ligamentous strain, would be that the line of gravity of the centre of the head, chest, abdomen (trunk) and pelvis fall in a straight line. In standing position weight should be equally distributed between the ball of the foot and the heel.
2. Correct posture of sitting: There are three types of sitting postures.
   1. Simple Sitting: The simple sitting position is one in which a person occupies a position the muscles involved in the process experience minimum stress and strain. In simple sitting position, the parts of the body, head, shoulder and hips should be well placed in proper alignment with each other. The trunk, including the head and shoulder, should be in a natural. Upright and relax position, especially, kyphosis of the lumber spine should be avoided by maintaining the natural curves of the spine. The thigh should be placed horizontally, legs placed vertically and the feet resting on the ground in flat position. The hands, flexed a little at the elbow, should rest on the thighs.
   2. Reading while Sitting: The posture is almost similar to the simple sitting position. The only point to be kept in mind is the distance of the reading material and its angel form the eyes. Generally the distance between the eyes and the reading material should be about 30 centimetres and the angle of the reading material should be-450 horizontally. The back should be a little more erect as compared to simple sitting postion.
   3. Writing while Sitting: In writing posture, the chair should be drawn under the table so that the elbows of the child are resting on the table comfortably and the forearms should be approximately horizontal. The thighs should be horizontally placed with legs placed vertically and feet resting on the ground in flat position. It has to be kept in mind that the height of the table should be according to that of the child and the chair. There should be slight slope in the surface of the table towards the child to facilitate the writing process.
3. Correct posture of walking: In a dynamic movement like walking, the force should be directed, as much as possible, in a straight line, intersecting the major joints, the foot, knee, hip and the shoulders. At the same time, the spinal curve should be minimized. The head should be held in a comfortable and natural position, the hands should move in a synchronized Fig. 5: Writing While Sitting movement with the legs, in a tension free movement with the legs, in a tension free movement.
4. Correct posture of sleeping: Use a normal size pillow and not a thick one.