Posture can be defined in various ways:
- ‘The way one holds one’s body in standing, sitting or walking’
- ‘Carriage’ or ‘Bearing’
- ‘The relative disposition of body parts’
- ‘A particular position or attitude of the body’
It could be argued that an individual’s posture is, in fact, made up of two quite separate but inter-relating postures – an inherited posture and a behaviour-induced posture …. :-: …. INHERITED POSTURE – This is genetically formed and often presents as one of a number of easily recognised postural patterns (ref. glossary …. INHERENT POSTURE TYPES) …. :-: …. BEHAVIOUR-INDUCED POSTURE – This develops over time and gradually superimposes itself over the presiding inherited posture. Behaviour-induced posture often becomes the more functionally dominant posture and is commonly the most important factor in determining whether an individual has a good or bad posture …. :-: …. GOOD POSTURE can be described as ‘posture that is unstrained and relaxed when the body is static’ (ref. glossary …. GOOD POSTURE) …. :-: …. Conversely, BAD or POOR POSTURE can be described as strained and un-relaxed and will often present itself as one of a number of well documented postural syndromes (ref. glossary …. POOR POSTURE) …. :-: …. It is important that the dedicated athlete & professional sportsperson is made aware of the basic nature and form of their inherited posture as well as any behavioural tendencies which contribute to the development of poor posture.
WHY IS POSTURAL AWARENESS IMPORTANT ?
It is considered that the brain does not recognise good or bad posture (mungo Barry – 1942). If this is so, there is no subconscious component of the brain which monitors posture other than to keep us erect & vertical. There is no feedback mechanism informing the brain of posture. Therefore bad or poor posture is not automatically recognised nor is it easily rectified.
Rectifying poor posture requires conscious intervention and has to be continually repeated. Rectifying poor-posture tendencies and working towards good posture encourages the development of more harmonious working relationships between body parts …. the very bed rock on which body movements can become free from harmful strain and economical of energy.