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3/11/2016 Biomechanical influences on head posture and the respiratory movements of the chest. ­ PubMed ­ NCBI

PubMed

Abstract

Acta Bioeng Biomech. 2015;17(2):143­8.

Biomechanical influences on head posture and the respiratory movements
of the chest.

Szczygieł E1,2, Węglarz K3, Piotrowski K3, Mazur T4, Mętel S2, Golec J2.

Author information

Abstract
PURPOSE: The head represents 6% of total body weight, therefore it can significantly affect the
biomechanics of human posture control, movements and activities. When set out of vertical body
axis, head position interferes with the work of the other links in the kinematic chain. The aim of our
study was to evaluate the effect of head posture on the breathing activities of the chest.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was conducted on a group of 65 patients (51 years ±
9.8 years), including 48 women and 17 men. Head posture and chest movements were assessed
using a photogrammetric method.

RESULTS: The results confirmed the existence of a negative correlation between head position in
the sagittal plane and movements of lower ribs. Forward head posture resulted in lower amplitude of
costal arch motion: for the transverse plane Spearman's R = ­0.296, for the frontal plane; ­0.273,
­0.289. Tilting the head in the frontal plane also influenced the change in the biomechanics of
breathing and contributed to a reduction of respiratory movements of the lower ribs Spearman's R =
­0.260.

CONCLUSIONS: Changing the position of the head causes disturbances in the three­dimensional
shape of the chest and its respiratory movements.

PMID: 26415553 [PubMed ­ in process]

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