STOTT Pilates- Postural Alignment Questions and Answers

What are the four types of postural alignment? Ideal, kyphosis-lordosis, flat-back, sway-back postures What should the cervical spine look like in neutral alignment? Normal curve, slightly convex anteriorly What should the thoracic spine look like in ideal alignment? Normal curve, slightly convex posteriorly What should the lumbar spine look like in ideal alignment? Normal curve, slightly convex anteriorly What muscles are short and strong in the kyphosis-lordosis posture? Neck extensors and hip flexors. Low back is strong and may or may not become short What muscles are elongated or weak in the kyphosis- lordosis posture? Neck flexors, upper back. Erector spinae, external oblique. Hamstrings are slightly elongated but may or may not be weak. What is the cervical spine like in the sway- back posture? Slightly extended What is the thoracic spine like in the sway-back posture? Increased flexion (long kypohosis) with posterior displacement of the upper trunk What is the lumbar spine like in the sway-back posture? Flexion, flattening of the low lumbar area Pelvis position in sway-back posture? Posterior Tilt What are hips like in sway-back posture? Hyperextended with anterior displacement of the pelvis What are knee joints like in sway-back posture? Hyperextended What are ankle joints like in the sway-back posture? Neutral- knee joint hyperextension usually results in plantar flexion of the ankle joint but that does not occur here because of anterior deviation of the pelvis and thighs What muscles are short and strong in the sway-back posture? Hamstrings, upper fibres of internal oblique. What muscles are long and weak in sway-back posture? One-joint hip flexors, external oblique, upper back extensors and neck flexors. What muscles are strong m=but not short in sway-back posture? Low back muscles. Describe the military type posture Neutral head position, normal cervical spine with curve slightly anterior, normal curve in thoracic with slightly posterior curve. lumbar= lordosis (hyperextended). Pelvis = anterior pelvis tilt. Knee joints slightly hyperextended and ankle joints slightly plantar flexed. What muscles are strong and short in the military- type posture? Low back and hip flexors