Download postural deviations and muscle imbalances

ACE Personal Trainer Manual
5th Edition
Chapter 7: Functional Assessments: Posture, Movement, Core,
Balance, and Flexibility
Lesson 7.1
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• After completing this session, you will be able to:
 Explain the relationship between common postural
deviations and the corresponding muscle imbalances that
may occur
 Differentiate between correctible and non-correctible
factors for muscle imbalances and postural deviations
 Utilize the right angle rule model and demonstrate the
use of the plumb line to note postural asymmetries and
gross deviations
 List the five common deviations and analyze common
observations, muscle imbalance relationships, and
anatomical positioning for each
 Evaluate and record client postural deviations using the
postural-deviation worksheet
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MOVEMENT
• Movement starts from a
static base or alignment
of the body segments
(posture).
• Postural assessments
evaluate body-segment
alignment.
• Movement screens
evaluate how posture
impacts the ability to
move.
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STATIC POSTURAL ASSESSMENT
•
Offers insight into:
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Muscle imbalances
Altered neural action
Potentially dysfunctional movement
Tight or shortened muscles
POSTURAL DEVIATIONS
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POSTURAL DEVIATIONS AND MUSCLE IMBALANCES
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POSTURAL DEVIATIONS AND MUSCLE IMBALANCES
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POSTURAL DEVIATIONS AND MUSCLE IMBALANCES
• Comparison of
normal posture
versus scoliosis
• Notice the
deviations that
occur at the
shoulders and the
hips.
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MOVEMENT EFFICIENCY PATTERN
• Proper postural alignment promotes optimal neural
activity of the muscles controlling a joint.
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POSTURAL DEVIATIONS AND MUSCLE IMBALANCES
• Correctible factors:
 Repetitive movements
 Awkward positions and
movements
 Side dominance
 Lack of joint stability
 Lack of joint mobility
 Imbalanced strength-training
programs
• Non-correctible factors:
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Congenital conditions
Some pathologies
Structural deviations
Certain types of trauma
RIGHT-ANGLE RULE OF POSTURE ASSESSMENT
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STATIC POSTURE ASSESSMENT
• Objective is to observe the client’s symmetry against
a plumb line
• Instruct the client to wear form-fitting, athletic-style
clothing to expose as many joints and bony
landmarks as possible.
• Focus on the obvious, gross imbalances and avoid
getting caught up in minor asymmetries.
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CHRONOLOGICAL PLAN FOR CONDUCTING ASSESSMENTS
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DEVIATION 1: FOOT PRONATION/SUPINATION
• Both feet should face forward in
parallel or with slight (8 to 10
degrees) external rotation.
• Toes should be aligned in the
same direction as the feet.
• Any excessive pronation (arch
flattening) or supination (high
arches) at the subtalar joint
should be noted.
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KINETIC CHAIN
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DEVIATION 2: HIP ADDUCTION
• A lateral tilt of the
pelvis that elevates
one hip higher than
the other
• Can be seen in
people with leglength discrepancies
• Progressively
lengthens and
weakens the right
hip abductors,
which are unable to
hold the hip level
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posterior view
DEVIATION 3: PELVIC TILTING
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DEVIATION 3: PELVIC TILTING
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DEVIATION 4: SHOULDER POSITION AND THE THORACIC SPINE
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DEVIATION 4: SHOULDER POSITION AND THE THORACIC SPINE
• Scapular Protraction and Winging
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DEVIATION 4: SHOULDER POSITION AND THE THORACIC SPINE
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DEVIATION 5: HEAD POSITION
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POSTURAL ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST
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SUMMARY
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Personal trainers should consider conducting a static
postural assessment on clients as an initial
assessment.
Muscle imbalance and postural deviations can be
attributed to many factors that are both correctible
and non-correctible.
Proper postural alignment promotes optimal neural
activity of the muscles controlling and moving the
joint.
When joints are correctly aligned, the lengthtension relationships and force-coupling
relationships function efficiently.