Posture and Balance

Question 1

What is posture?

what is the function of posture?

Answer 1

attitude or position of the body

maintain the alignment of the segments of the body

Question 2

What is balance?

Answer 2

postural control

Question 3

what is postural orientation?

Answer 3

Body segments aligned with:

1. one another
2. support surface
3. gravity
4. external objects

Question 4

what is postural stability?

Answer 4

controlling the body’s center of mass in relation to the base of support

Question 5

what are the 4 types of postural control?

Answer 5

1. static (steady)
2. reactive (during perturbation)
3. anticipatory (gait)
4. adaptive (condition change; think ice on road)

Question 6

What are the 3 types of automatic postural adjustments?

Answer 6

1. Righting reactions: the act of bringing or moving body segments into alignment with one another.
2. Protective reactions: extremity response to quick displacement of the COG outside the BOS
3. Equilibrium reactions: more sophisticated than righting reactions; involve a total body response to a slow shift of the COG outside the BOS.

Question 7

What is Nashner’s Model of postural control?

Answer 7

Based on support surface, speed and degree of displacement, the ankle, hip and stepping will act in a way in order to maintain balance

Question 8

What are some functional tests on the assessment of balance and posture?

Answer 8

1. Functional reach
2. TUG
3. Berg Balance test

Question 9

Single Leg Stance in Children (chart)

Answer 9

• 3: momentary
• 4: 4-6 seconds
• 5: 8-10 seconds
• 6: 10+ (eyes open or closed)