Introduction to fundamental

positions
The postures from which the movement is initiated are known as starting
positions, these can either be active or passive in nature. There are 5
fundamental starting positions;

• Standing
• Kneeling
• Sitting
• Lying
• Hanging
Sitting position and Muscle work

 This position is taken in chair or stool and the

hips and knees are flexed to right angle and
the feet rest on the floor. Most used position in
daily life.
 This position does not need much of work to be
done by the legs to hold on to the position, the
flexors of hips work to maintain a right angle
and prevent the tendency to slump.
 Effects and uses

 This is the most comfortable of positions and is very

stable, rotation is limited to spine as the pelvis bears the
weight of the upper body and is fixed, suitable for non-
weight bearing exercises of the knee and foot can be
performed in this position and also suitable for training
correct alignment of upper body in habitual sitting.
 Positions Derived From Sitting

By Altering The Position Of The Arms

 Wing
 Yard
 Heave
 Reach-grasp
 Neck-rest
 Stretch
 Sitting
 By altering the Position of the
Legs

 Long-sitting
Knees are extended so that the whole leg is supported. The
extenders of the knees work to counteract the increased
tension of the hamstring muscles.

 Half-sitting
Is taken by placing one leg over the boom, so that the thigh is
supported just behind the knee joint. The leg hangs straight
down by its own weight. It can also be taken over a high
plinth/table
 Cont…
 Stride-sitting
Arises from the Fundamental position by placing the feet
two foot-lengths away from each other. Right angle
between thigh and leg.

 Ride-sitting
Is taken by the patient sitting astride a plinth, chair, form,
or other suitable apparatus. The feet are often fixed by
some support.
 Cont…
 Crook-Sitting
When sitting on the floor, the knees are bent so
that the feet are together and flat on the floor.
The knees maybe together or apart.

 Cross Sitting
In this, the ankles are crossed and the hips
strongly abducted and laterally rotated, so that
lateral aspect of knees are pressed to the floor.
 Cont…
 Side sitting
For left side sitting, the left leg remain as in cross sitting and hip supports the
main weight of trunk, while the right leg is abducted and medially rotated so
that lower leg is bent to the side. The pelvis is tilted laterally to the left and
lumbar side flexors on the right side work to keep trunk upright.
 By altering the Position of the
Trunk
 Stoop
 Fallout sitting