Consistency of standing and seated posture of asymptomatic male adults over a one-week interval: A digital camera analysis of multiple landmarks

Abstract 

Background and objectives

Postural observation is commonly used by practitioners as a clinical tool. Little is known about the reliability and validity of such observations. The aim of this study was to establish the consistency of posture in standing and seated positions, over a one-week period.

Methods

A convenience sample of 11 healthy males (mean±SD) age 29.6±10.4 years, with low level pain or discomfort (average 1.9/55 McGill pain short form pain questionnaire) were recruited from a university population. Anatomical landmarks were marked on each participant using TiO₂ and adhesive stickers. Participants attended three sessions over a one-week period (days 1, 4 and 7). Standing posture was recorded using digital video in three views; anterior, posterior and lateral. Seated posture was examined in the lateral view only. Four still frames were captured and analysed from each one minute video clip using video digitisation and analysis software. Postural variables were measured on each frame with the mean of the four frames used for analysis.

Results

Seventeen of the 28 postural variables showed very high consistency (ICC≥0.7) between measurements, 9 of 28 showed high consistency (0.5≤ICC<0.7) and 3 of 28 moderate consistency (0.3≤ICC<0.5) over the three measurement sessions at days 1, 4 and 7. The results demonstrate high levels of reliability for all postural variables in anterior standing and posterior standing views, and for most clinically relevant variables including forward head position in lateral standing (ICC=0.67) and lateral sitting; head angle in lateral standing (ICC=0.92) and lateral sitting (ICC=0.92).

Conclusion

In the male cohort studied posture appears to be consistent over a one-week period and may be useful as an outcome measure for studies investigating effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment and therapeutic exercise in treating musculoskeletal disorders.

Keywords: Osteopathic medicine, Diagnostic techniques and procedures, Reproducibility of results, Posture, Physical examination