The evaluation of upright posture caused by simple movement test.

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 cervicalthoracic spine was provoked only if there was horizontal position of the pelvis and thorax. This should be considered in clinical practice.