Dataset Information

Standard reference values of the upper body posture in healthy young female adults in Germany: an observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Classifications of posture deviations are only possible compared with standard values. However, standard values have been published for healthy male adults but not for female adults.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main.

Participants

106healthy female volunteers (21-30 years old; 25.1±2.7 years) were included. Their body weight ranged from 46 to 106?kg (60.3±7.9?kg), the heights from 1.53 to 1.82?m (1.69±0.06?m) and the body mass index from 16.9?kg/m² to 37.6?kg/m² (21.1±2.6?kg/m²).

Outcome measures

A three-dimensional back scan was performed to measure the upper back posture in habitual standing. The tolerance ranges and CI were calculated. Group differences were tested by the Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

In normal posture, the spinal column was marginally twisted to the left, and the vertebrae were marginally rotated to the right. The kyphosis angle is larger than the lumbar angle. Consequently, a more kyphotic posture is observed in the sagittal plane. The habitual posture is slightly scoliotic with a rotational component (scapular depression right, right scapula marginally more dorsally, high state of pelvic right, iliac right further rotated anteriorly).

Conclusions

Healthy young women have an almost ideally balanced posture with minimal ventral body inclination and a marginal scoliotic deviation. Compared with young males, women show only marginal differences in the upper body posture. These values allow a comparison to other studies, both for control and patient data, and may serve as guideline in both clinical practice and scientific studies.

SUBMITTER: Ohlendorf D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6078251 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Standard reference values of the upper body posture in healthy young female adults in Germany: an observational study.

Ohlendorf Daniela D Fisch Vanessa V Doerry Charlotte C Schamberger Sebastian S Oremek Gerhard G Ackermann Hanns H Schulze Johannes J

BMJ open 20180805 8

<h4>Objective</h4>Classifications of posture deviations are only possible compared with standard values. However, standard values have been published for healthy male adults but not for female adults.<h4>Design</h4>Observational study.<h4>Setting</h4>Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main.<h4>Participants</h4>106healthy female volunteers (21-30 years old; 25.1±2.7 years) were included. Their body weight ranged from 46 to 1 ...[more]

PMID: 30082360

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Project description:BackgroundTo reduce ergonomic risk factors in terms of awkward and constrained postures and high velocities, it is important to perform adequate risk assessments. Technical methods provide objective measures of physical workload. These methods have so far mainly been used by researchers. However, if written instructions how to apply the sensors and how to adopt the reference posture are provided, together with triaxial accelerometers, it may be possible for employees to record their own physical workload. The exposure in terms of e.g. upper arm elevations could then easily be assessed for all workers in a workplace. The main aims of this study were: 1) to compare analyses for self-recording of upper arm elevation during work using a simplified reference posture versus using a standard reference posture, and 2) to compare the two reference postures.MethodsTwenty-eight cleaners attached an accelerometer to their dominant upper arm and adopted a simplified reference according to a written instruction. They were thereafter instructed by a researcher to adopt a standard reference. Upper arm elevations were recorded for 2 or 3 days. Each recording was analysed twice; relative to the simplified reference posture and relative to the standard reference posture. The group means of the differences in recorded upper arm elevations between simplified and standard reference analyses were assessed using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Furthermore, we calculated the group mean of the differences between the simplified reference posture and the standard reference posture.ResultsFor arm elevation during work (50th percentile), the group mean of the differences between the two analyses was 0.2° (range?-7 - 10°). The group mean of the differences between the two references was 9° (range 1?-?21°). The subjects were able to follow the instructions in the protocol and performed self-recording of upper arm elevation and velocity.ConclusionsThe small difference between the two analyses indicates that recordings performed by employees themselves are comparable, on a group level, with those performed by researchers. Self-recordings in combination with action levels would provide employers with a method for risk assessment as a solid basis for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Dataset Information

Standard reference values of the upper body posture in healthy young female adults in Germany: an observational study.

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Outcome measures

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Standard reference values of the upper body posture in healthy young female adults in Germany: an observational study.

Similar Datasets

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