RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BIPED, NORMAL SEATED AND CORRECTED SEATED POSITION WITH CERVICAL POSTURE IN SUBJECTS OVER 65 YEARS

Abstract

 Introduction: aging process is associated with changes in the posture of the spine in the sagittal plane, especially in the cervical spine, where a forward head posture occurs. The aim of this study was to describe cervical posture in subjects over 65 years and investigate their relationship with the standing position (SP) normal seated position (NSP) and corrected seated position (CSP). Material and method: this observational study included 30 volunteer subjects over 65 years (14 men and 16 women, mean age 73.1 years; SD = 5.7). A measurement of the cervical posture was performed using sagittal photogrammetry in SP, NSP and CSP, analyzing the cranio-vertebral (CV), upper cervical (UC), lower cervical (LC) and sternomental (SM) angles. Results: statistically significant differences were obtained in all angles between SP and CSP regarding the NSP (p = 0.000-0.001) with an effect size between medium and large (d = 0.42-2.56), in which smaller CV, LC and SM angles and greater UC angle were found. When comparing SP and CSP no statistically significant differences were found in the CV (p = 0.683) and UC (p = 0.189) angles, nevertheless LC (p = 0.021) angle was significantly greater in the CSP, but with a small effect size (d = 0.54). A significant moderate negative correlation was observed between age and SM angle (rho range from -0.450 to -0.472). Conclusion: NSP implies a more forward head posture in relation to SP, that can be corrected by adopting a CSP with a pelvic support.