posture, balance, back health

Question 1

posture

Answer 1

• how an individual positions their body with respect to the environment
• static or dynamic
• involves info from the vestibular system , visual and somatosensory systems to initiate muscular contractions

Question 2

postural control

Answer 2

• the ability to predict, detect, and see any change in body position, select and adapt a response, and execute the response with the biomechanical constraints of the body or the environment

Question 3

why assess posture

Answer 3

• determine deficiencies that can lead to health issues like low back pain, fall risk, or poor performance in sport
• important consequences for balance
• poor posture can = muscle weakness or other MSK disorders
• general fatigue and de-conditioning
• mal-alignment/imbalance = increased chance of injury

Question 4

factors influencing posture

Answer 4

• self-initiated motion
• response to externally applied loads
• fatigue and deconditioning
• age , structural changes of aging
• injury and extent of rehab
• disease (neurological disorder)

Question 5

dynamic posturography

Answer 5

• very complex
• assesses the state of vestibular, visual , and somatosensory components of the postural control system
• requires an advanced computer control force platform

Question 6

limitations of dynamic posturography

Answer 6

• time consuming
• expensive
• sophisticated processing and interpretation
• may not have a good application to the real world

Question 7

visual rating diagrams

Answer 7

• new york posture test
• more practical and realistic
• compares to norms
• posture app on phone

Question 8

interpretations of posture

Answer 8

• a certified ergonomist can make corrections and prescriptions
  -validity and reliability are moderate since most tests are subjective indirect measures

Question 9

balance

Answer 9

• component of posture but also an independent measure
• static and dynamic balance
• influence by similar physiological mechanisms as dynamic posture

Question 10

tests of balance

Answer 10

• require advanced lab equipment and vary in nature
• computerized platforms

Question 11

indirect tests of balance

Answer 11

• standard tests
• one leg stance test
• static balance test
• uses a variety of stability platforms and tests are timed
• single direction balance

Question 12

one leg stance test

Answer 12

• strict criteria,
• eyes open and closed,
• best single leg time for both ,
• focuses on vestibular system and Golgi tendon reflex

Question 13

static balance test

Answer 13

• static balance test,
• max 60s,
• both legs ,
• one foot,
• eyes open/closed

Question 14

balance error scoring system

Answer 14

• used to assess concussion in athletes
• single leg stance is with non-dominant leg
• simple counting of the number of errors
• challenges hard surface, soft surface, harder to balance on softer surfaces

Question 15

star excursion balance test

Answer 15

• requires balancing on one leg and reaching with the opposite leg in 8 directions
• reach distance is the performance variable
• sensitive to functional deficits in ankle, ACL, patellofemoral pain and fatigue

Question 16

loss of balance tests

Answer 16

• wobble boards or particular body stances
• simple, easy, practical
• application to sport and ADLs
• important to assess in older adults as it may help determine potential risk for falls
• validity and reliability are variable
• need set criteria

Question 17

what is back fitness

Answer 17

• combination of factors associated with the ability to perform various aspects of particular occupations , sports, ADLS, and association with low incidence of pain
• important with age
• ROM, posture , all incorporate back fitness

Question 18

why assess back fitness

Answer 18

• low back pain is very prevalent
• 60-80% of people will have it in their lifetime
• second most common ailment

Question 19

back fitness males vs. females

Answer 19

• equal risk
• 25-60 years old, peaking at 40
• preventable and treatable
• 90% of sufferers return to work within 6 weeks

Question 20

what causes back pain

Answer 20

• mechanical
• discogenic

Question 21

mechanical cause of back pain

Answer 21

• structures related to the spinal cord
• joint, bone, soft tissue
• strengthening muscles in back help prevent

Question 22

discogenic causes of back pain

Answer 22

• disc protrusion/rupture
• disc degeneration/regeneration
• best predictor of back pain is a previous episode of back pain

Question 23

assessment of back pain

Answer 23

• risk of low back pain can be assessed with a questionnaire (YMCA)
• can be assessed as a singular muscular endurance test (sorensen)
• no one can really assess back pain or fitness or predict the incidence of back pain
• test batteries including muscular endurance, flexibility, posture, should be performed