Group 1

Body Mechanics and R.O.M Exercise

Members:

Abatol, Gerique Marathae

Abrasado, Jennie Ann

Alesna, Sharmaine

Alvor, Celine Rose

BSN 1A

Mr. Rei Mike E. Bukiron

Clinical Instructor
Definitions:

Body Mechanics

-Coordinates effort of the muscle skeletal and nervous system to maintain proper
balance, posture and body alignment.
Body Alignment
- State equip in which opposing forces contract with each other.
Balance
- Controlled by the nervous system, specifically by the cerebellum and the inner
ear.
- A normal state of physiologic equilibrium.
Center of Gravity
- The point of which all the mass of an object is the center.

Line of Gravity

- An imaginary vertical line drawn through an object center of gravity

Base of Support

- Foundations which an object in rest.

Coordinated Body Movements

- A result of weight, center of gravity, and balance.

Weight

- Force exerted by earth on the object

- Force exerted on a body by gravity

Friction

- A force that occurs in the direction opposing the move

Force

- Any influence that causes a free body to undergo an acceleration. Force can also
be described by intuitive concepts such as a push or pull that can cause an object
with mass to change its velocity (which includes beginning moving from a state of
rest).

Fulcrum

- A fixed point about which the lever moves.

Inertia
 - The tendency of an object at rest to remain at rest and an object in motion to
remain in motion.

Leverage

- A force that can be used by nurses to increase their lifting power and to make
lifting easer.

Posture

- The bearing and position of the body and the relative arrangements of the
various parts of the body.

Stance

- Style of standing, positioning for a strike.

Principles of Body Mechanics

1. Anatomy and Physiology

- Exercise entrance respiratory systems, gastrointestinal system and other
system function.

2. Chemistry
- Pertains the activity of muscles; promotes good circulation of blood.

3. Physics
- Pushing involves friction, weight of work correct application of some low on
physics essential.

4. Psychology
- Develops trust and confidence
- Studies mind and behaviour
- Values and attitude

5. Microbiology
- Body contaminated with harmful microorganisms that may alter the body’s
movement coordination.

Importance of Body Mechanics

  Improves body alignment, posture and mobility
 Maintain body balance and stability
 Serves as guide ( beauty with enhancement)
 For normal muscle tone and body tone
 Avoid muscle strain and injuries
 For normal blood circulation
 Development and improvements of physical appearance and beauty
 Prevent chronic ailment
 Enable us to know how to use energy sufficiently
 For avoidance to skin breakdown and intact pressure joints
 To increase level of independence in completing activities

Elements of Body Mechanics

 Stable center of gravity
- For good body mechanics, it is important to maintain a low center of gravity. To
achieve this, one should keep the back straight and the body should be bent only at the
knees and the hips. A lower center of gravity implies more stability. Also, if you slightly
bend the knees, then the center of gravity is lowered leading to an increased stability. It
is important to develop the strength of the core muscles for good stability.

 Wide Support Base

- It is important to maintain a wide support base. A wide support base is useful
especially when lifting things. For example, if you try to stand on one foot, the muscle in
the foot continually deflects to maintain the balance. It is here that body mechanics are
applied. If you try to maintain an outstretched support base then you would be able to
balance. A strong core muscle helps to keep the body upright and to improve the
balance of the body. The core muscles are those muscles in the abdomen, back, pelvic
floor, and the hips. Weak core muscles could certainly lead to knee injuries, back aches,
and pulled shoulders.
 Line of Gravity
- It is also critical to ensure that the line of gravity should go vertically through
the support base. To accomplish this, the back should be kept straight and the object to
be lifted should be placed close to the body. When you lift something from the floor,
instead of bending over and picking it up, bend at the knees and the hip and ensure that
the back is straight before lifting. This ensures a proper alignment.
 Body Alignment
- One of the most important elements of body mechanics is body alignment.
The spine is the foundation for a proper body alignment. The spine consists of bones
and vertebrae that connect with each other and with other ligaments and muscles and
it has an S-shaped curve. To maintain the proper body alignment, it is important to
maintain that curve. This reduces muscle tension and gives more stability. If all of these
 principles are met, good body mechanics can be achieved.

Factors Affecting Body Mechanics

1. Physical Health
2. Nutrition
3. Lifestyle
 Frequent twisting of the back on work or daily activities
 Frequent lifting of heavy loads in work/ daily activities
 Frequent stopping in work or daily activities
 Frequent pulling or pushing of heavy loads
 Frequent moving of items stored in low or high areas to waist level
 Walking in stick or uneven surface
 Wearing tight clothing that restricts freedom of movement
 Wearing shoes with uneven or stick shoes or high heel which prediscope the
wearer to fail
 The person who leads on overly busy, stressful active life

4. Attitude and Values

5. Mental Health
6. Emotions
7. Level of understanding
8. Neuro muscular and skeletal impairments

Guidelines of Body Mechanics

 Balance is maintained and muscle train is avoidance as long as the line of gravity
passes through the base of support
 The under of base of support and the lower of center of gravity, the greater the
stability
 Balance is maintained with minimal effort when the base of support is enlarged
in the direction in which the movements will occur
 Objects that are done to the center of gravity are moved with the least effort
 The greater the construction of muscle before moving an object, the less the
energy are required to move it and the lesser the risk of injury
 Pulling creates less friction that pushing, muscle tend to act in groups rather
than singly
 Muscles are always in slight contraction
 Large muscles fatigue less quickly than small muscle
 The heavier the object the greater face
 Changes in activity and position help to maintain muscle tone and avoid fatigue
 Using one’s own weight to counter act the patient weight requires less energy
movement
 Friction between an object and the surface upon which the object is moved
affect the amount of work needed to move the object.