STOTT Pilates Exam- Postural alignment

What are the four types of postural alignment? - ANSWER-Ideal, kyphosis-lordosis, flat-back, sway-back postures What should the cervical spine look like in neutral alignment? - ANSWER-Normal curve, slightly convex anteriorly What should the thoracic spine look like in ideal alignment? - ANSWER-Normal curve, slightly convex posteriorly What should the lumbar spine look like in ideal alignment? - ANSWER-Normal curve, slightly convex anteriorly What muscles are short and strong in the kyphosis-lordosis posture? - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-Slightly extended What is the thoracic spine like in the sway-back posture? - ANSWER-Increased flexion (long kypohosis) with posterior displacement of the upper trunk What is the lumbar spine like in the sway-back posture? - ANSWER-Flexion, flattening of the low lumbar area Pelvis position in sway-back posture? - ANSWER-Posterior Tilt What are hips like in sway-back posture? - ANSWER-Hyperextended with anterior displacement of the pelvis What are knee joints like in sway-back posture? - ANSWER-Hyperextended What are ankle joints like in the sway-back posture? - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-Hamstrings, upper fibres of internal oblique. What muscles are long and weak in sway-back posture? - ANSWER-One-joint hip flexors, external oblique, upper back extensors and neck flexors.