POSTURE AND

BALANCE
ASSESSMENT
Assessment in Physiotherapy
Dr. Meeyoung Kim, PT, PhD
Physiotherapy Dept. University of Sharjah
GOOD POSTURE
POOR POSTURE
 STATIC
POSTURE
ASSESSMENT
Lateral view-Abnormality

◦ Upper crossed syndrome

◦ Lower crossed syndrome
◦ Kyphosis
◦ Lordosis
Upper Crossed Syndrome

◦ Head lurches forward and the

shoulders are also rounded
forward.

Upper crossed syndrome is characterized by the

following muscle pattern.

Tightness: upper trapezius, levator scapulae,

sternocleidomastoid and pectoralis muscles

Weakness: deep neck flexors, serratus anterior,

middle trapezius and lower trapezius muscles
 Upper Crossed Syndrome

This syndrome produces typical changes

in posture including:

◦ Elevation and protraction of shoulders,

◦ Winged scapulae,
◦ Pushed forward position of the head.
◦ This type of posture creates anticipated
overstress to the head and neck, upper
back and shoulder joints.
Upper Crossed Syndrome
 Lower Crossed Syndrome

◦ An arched lower back aka anterior tilt to the pelvis

◦ Lower crossed syndrome is characterized by

the following muscle pattern.

◦ Tightness: erector spinae (thoraco-lumbar),

rectus femoris and iliopsoas muscles
◦ Weakness: abdominals and gluteal muscles
Scoliosis Assessment
 ADAM’S
FORWARD
BENDING
TEST
Pronation
Distortion
Syndrome

◦ The ankles curve inward because of flat feet, which causes the knees
to adduct and internally rotate.
BALANCE ASSESSMENT
Functional Reach Test

◦ Measuring maximal distance one can reach

forward beyond arm length while maintaining
a fixed base of support in a standing position
◦ Test start: standing upright, arm flexed 90
deg.
◦ Clenched fist must be maintained at the same
height
◦ Heel must not rise
Timed Up and Go
test
Static and dynamic
balance: Berg Balance
Scale
◦ 14 items
◦ Equipment:
◦ A Yardstick
◦ A chair w/o arm rest
◦ Foot stool
◦ Stopwatch
◦ 15-foot walkway
◦ Scoring
◦ 5-point scale (0-4)
◦ Highest possible score = 56
◦ 41-56 = low fall risk
◦ 21-40 = medium fall risk
◦ 0 –20 = high fall risk
Thank you!