DR.

PRITAM SINGHA
⚫ Posture follows movement like a shadow; every
movement begins in posture & ends in posture. –
Sherrington.
⚫ Starting position – a posture from which movement is
initiated which may be active or passive in character.
⚫ 5 basic starting positions –
⚫ Standing
⚫ Kneeling
⚫ Sitting
⚫ Lying
⚫ Hanging
⚫ All other positions are derived from them.
⚫ In this positions, equilibrium & stability is maintained
by balance of forces acting on body. The muscular
force used is isometric.
⚫ The strength & distribution of this contraction is
controlled by a series of reflexes known as postural
reflexes.
⚫ Most difficult
fundamental position to
maintain, as body must
be balanced &
stabilized on small base
by co- ordinated work
of many muscle
groups.
POSITION
Heels Together, in same line, toes slightly apart
Knees Together & straight
Hips Extended & slightly laterally rotated
Pelvis Balanced on femoral heads
Spine Stretched to maximum length
Vertex Thrust upwards, ears leveled & eyes look straight forward
Shoulders Down & back
Arm Hang loosely to sides
Palm Facing inwards towards body
MUSCLE WORK
⚫ Muscle work required to maintain the position varies
with circumstances.
⚫ ↓ when body segment is in good alignment & perfectly
balanced; ↑ by faulty alignment or by external forces
that disturbs equilibrium.
⚫ To hold the position, antigravity muscles of trunk & lower
limb work isometrically.
Intrinsic muscles of feet Stabilizes feet
Prevents toe curling
Plantarflexors Balances lower leg on foot
Dorsiflexors Counterbalances action of
plantarflexors Support medial
longitudinal arch of foot
Evertors Counterbalances action of
invertors Presses ball of great toe
on ground
Knee extensors Works slightly
Hip extensors Maintains hip extension
Balances pelvis on femoral heads
Hip lateral rotators (slight action) Bracing of legs & foot arches
Spine extensors Keeps the trunk upright

Lumbar flexors (abdominal) Prevents over action of

lumbar extensors
Maintain correct angle of
pelvic tilt
Supports abdominal viscera

Pre-vertebral neck muscles Controls extensive neck extension

Straightens cervical spine

Flexors/extensors of atlanto-occipital Works reciprocally to balance head

joint

Elevators of mandible Closes the mouth

Scapular retractors Draws the scapulae backward

(glenoid cavity faces laterally)
Arms Relaxed
EFFECTS & USES
⚫ Relatively small base
⚫ High COG
⚫ State of equilibrium – less stable (than other
fundamental positions)
⚫ So suitable for exercise for those who can maintain it
correctly.
⚫ Attaining & holding standing posture – reduces fatigue &
conditions postural reflexes.
⚫ Position of alertness
⚫ Thorax is free & abdominal viscera is well supported.
⚫ Associated with feeling of joy & efficiency.
⚫ The position of arms, legs or trunk is altered in
fundamental position to modify effect of position or
to start exercises.

Purpose :-
⚫ To increase or decrease size & stability of the base
⚫ To raise or lower COG
⚫ To ensure maximum local or general relaxation
⚫ To control or fix the particular part of body to
have localized movement
⚫ To increase or decrease muscle work
⚫ To increase or decrease leverage
⚫ To provide convenient position to start exercise
BY ALTERATION OF THE ARMS
Wing standing
Low wing standing
Bend standing
Reach standing
Yard standing
Stretch standing
BY ALTERATION OF THE LEGS
Close standing
Toe standing
Stride standing
Walk standing
Half standing