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Background/Objectives: This study determined the effects of 60 min or 30 min Pilates program on cervicothoracic alignment, muscular strength, and endurance in university students with upper-crossed syndrome (UCS). Methods: Twenty-six university students with UCS were randomly allocated into 60 min Pilates (60 PG, n = 9), 30 min Pilates (30 PG, n = 9), and control (CG, n = 8) groups. The 60 and 30 PG students participated in the Pilates program, focusing on relaxation, stability, mobility, and strengthening of the cervical, thoracic, and scapular muscles for 60 or 30 min per session, twice a week, for 12 weeks. Cervicothoracic alignment was measured using BodyStyle to determine craniovertebral angle (CVA), forward shoulder angle (FSA), head position angle (HPA), head tilt angle (HTA), and kyphosis angle (KA). We measured the muscular strength and endurance of the shoulder on the dominant side. Results: After the intervention, CVA, HPA, HTA, and KA significantly improved in the 60 and 30 PG (all p < 0.01) but not in the CG (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the 60 and 30 PG at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Shoulder strength differed between shoulder flexion and horizontal abduction (p < 0.01). Shoulder endurance differed between extension, flexion, and horizontal abduction (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: This study confirmed the effectiveness of the Pilates program in improving cervicothoracic sagittal alignment and shoulder muscular function in university students with UCS. Additionally, the effects of participating in 60 and 30 min Pilates programs were found to be equivalent. Therefore, encouraging busy university students to participate in at least 30 min of the Pilates program is important.

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AIM: To compare the effects of backward (BW) and forward (FW) walking training on back geometry and mobility function in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Fifty-five children with hemiparetic CP participated in this study. They were randomly assigned into two groups. For 12 weeks, both groups got a conventional physical therapy program three days/week. Groups A and B got a specifically developed FW walking training (25 minutes/session) and a specially designed BW walking training (25 minutes/session), respectively. RESULTS: The trunk imbalance, lateral deviation, pelvic tilting, pelvic torsion, surface motion, and dynamic gait index of group B improved significantly more than group A (p < .05). Both groups showed significant improvements in all measured variables (p < .05). CONCLUSION: BW walking training might be considered as an effective therapy modality for improving back geometry and mobility function in hemiparetic CP children compared with FW walking training combined with a typical program.

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BACKGROUND: Exercise induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) causes inspiratory distress in the upper airway in many adolescent athletes. The nature of EILO is not fully understood, and effective management strategies are lacking. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a multidimensional individually tailored intervention, including Norwegian Psychomotor Physiotherapy (NPMP), elements of cognitive behavioural therapy and a rehabilitation plan, in reducing inspiratory distress and dysfunctional breathing in adolescent athletes with EILO. METHODS: A mixed methods design, which combined qualitative and quantitative research, was used. Data, including subjective experiences of respiratory distress, findings from body examinations and objective measurements of lung function and aerobic capacity were gathered before and after a five month intervention involving 18 participants. RESULTS: Following the intervention, the participants showed a reduction in respiratory distress and anxiousness associated with their breathing difficulties. Furthermore, the participants reported to be more in control of their breathing. The body assessments revealed a more functional breathing motion and improved posture, which imply that the breathing was less thoracic and more diaphragmatic in rest and exercise in all participants after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a multidimensional individually tailored intervention, including NPMP based physiotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy elements, and a rehabilitation plan may reduce inspiratory distress and dysfunctional breathing in athletes with EILO. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results system NCT06033755, date of registration: September12, 2023. Retrospectively registered.

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CONTEXT: Badminton is a unilateral sport that involves repetitive jumping, lunging and quick changes of direction with the lower limb, thus, plantar pressure profiles and foot postural profiles are critical to maintaining balance and coordination. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of static and dynamic plantar pressure profiles with rearfoot posture in elite and recreational badminton players as well as assess the transitional changes of plantar loads between static and dynamic states. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 65 college-level elite male badminton players (mean age: 20.2 ± 1.2 years; mean height: 177.4 ± 4.6 cm; mean weight: 72.6 ± 4.6 kg) and 68 recreational badminton players of the same gender (mean age: 19.9 ± 0.8 years; mean height: 170.3 ± 3.9 cm; mean weight: 67.7 ± 3.2 kg). The JC Mat was used to evaluate the arch index (AI), plantar pressure distribution (PPD), centers of gravity, and the characteristics of the footprint. Static foot posture was determined by examining the rearfoot alignment. RESULTS: Both groups' AI fell within the normal range. The static plantar loads of the elite group were distributed at the bipedal lateral part of longitudinal arches and heels (p < 0.01), while the right foot experienced higher centers of gravity (p < 0.05). The elite group's static rearfoot postural alignment exhibited a higher degree of rearfoot varus than the recreational group (p < 0.05). In addition, the elite group's dynamic plantar loads were mainly exerted at the medial and lateral metatarsals of both feet (p < 0.05). During the transition state, the recreational group's plantar loads were mainly shifted to the bipedal lateral part of metatarsals and heels (p < 0.05), whereas the elite group's bipedal lateral longitudinal arches as well as the medial and lateral heels experienced a reduction in plantar loads (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: For elite badminton players, the findings revealed a possible connection among the static supinated foot, centers of gravity tending towards the right foot, and increased forefoot plantar loads in the dynamic state. The finding merits further exploration of the possible links between transitional changes in plantar pressure distribution in both states and related foot injuries resulting from intense competition and regular training in badminton.

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The forward head posture of visual display terminal (VDT) users induces various physical and cognitive clinical symptoms. However, few studies have been conducted to identify and solve problems associated with VDT posture. This study aimed to examine the adverse effects of VDT posture and the positive effects of traction-combined workstations by measuring postural alignment, muscle properties, blood velocity, preference, and working memory. Thirty-four healthy VDT users (18 males and 16 females aged 20-30 years) participated in the experiment at three workstations, including conventional (VDT_C), head support (VDT_S), and upright (VDT_U) workstations. They conducted 2-back working memory task. The craniovertebral angle (CVA), muscle tone and stiffness, blood velocity and visual analogue discomfort scale (VADS) were measured to examine the influence of workstations. VDT_C showed increased muscle tone or stiffness in the levator scapulae (LS), suboccipital muscle (SM), and sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) and an increased reaction time (RT) in working memory. However, VDT_S showed decreased stiffness and tone of SM and improved comfort. In addition, VDT_U showed decreased stiffness or tone of the LS and SCM and improved blood velocity and RT. In conclusion, maintaining neutral alignment significantly improved working memory performance, muscle properties, and blood velocity.

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PURPOSE: To assess dynamic postural alignment in ASD during walking using a subject-specific 3D approach. METHODS: 69 ASD (51 ± 20 years, 77%F) and 62 controls (34 ± 13 years, 62%F) underwent gait analysis along with full-body biplanar Xrays and filled HRQoL questionnaires. Spinopelvic and postural parameters were computed from 3D skeletal reconstructions, including radiographic odontoid to hip axis angle (ODHA) that evaluates the head's position over the pelvis (rODHA), in addition to rSVA and rPT. The 3D bones were then registered on each gait frame to compute the dynamic ODHA (dODHA), dSVA, and dPT. Patients with high dODHA (> mean + 1SD in controls) were classified as ASD-DU (dynamically unbalanced), otherwise as ASD-DB (dynamically balanced). Between-group comparisons and relationship between parameters were investigated. RESULTS: 26 patients were classified as ASD-DU having an average dODHA of 10.4° (ASD-DB: 1.2°, controls: 1.7°), dSVA of 112 mm (ASD-DB: 57 mm, controls: 43 mm), and dPT of 21° (ASD-DB: 18°, controls: 14°; all p < 0.001). On static radiographs, ASD-DU group showed more severe sagittal malalignment than ASD-DB, with more altered HRQoL outcomes. The ASD-DU group had an overall abnormal walking compared to ASD-DB & controls (gait deviation index: 81 versus 93 & 97 resp., p < 0.001) showing a reduced flexion/extension range of motion at the hips and knees with a slower gait speed and shorter step length. Dynamic ODHA was correlated to HRQoL scores. CONCLUSION: Dynamically unbalanced ASD had postural malalignment that persist during walking, associated with kinematic alterations in the trunk, pelvis, and lower limbs, making them more prone to falls. Dynamic-ODHA correlates better with HRQoL outcomes than dSVA and dPT.

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Background: Balanced global spinopelvic balance is important in the maintenance of the physiological alignment of all body segments above the pelvis with minimum energy expenditure. The key determinants affecting the 3D index-odontoid-hip axis (OD-HA) angle, and in particular its alterations, have not been clearly defined. The aim of this study is to identify the determinants of the 3D OD-HA angle in maintaining global spinopelvic balance in a large Chinese adult cohort of different gender and age groups. Methods: A total of 516 asymptomatic adults were enrolled in this study. Biplanar radiographies were performed to reconstruct the subject's inter-acetabular axis and C2 odontoid process. The 3D angle formed by the vertical and the line between odontoid and mid-interacetabular axis (OD-HA angle) was computed and projected in the subject's sagittal and coronal planes. Thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), T1 pelvic angle (TPA) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured. Results: The mean values of sagittal and coronal OD-HA were -0.2°±2.5° and 0.2°±1.1°, respectively. Both sagittal and coronal OD-HA had significant correlation with age (r=0.265 and r=-0.143, P<0.01, respectively), sagittal OD-HA showed increment from 20s to 80s (-1.3° to 0.8° for female, -0.3° to 1.5° for male) and a significant difference between male and female from 20 to 69 years old. Further analysis showed that sex, weight, TK, PT, SVA, TPA and ODI were determinants of OD-HA. Conclusions: 3D OD-HA angle showed physiological stability with little variability from young to elderly adults, with SD of 2.45° and 1.06° in sagittal and coronal planes, respectively. OD-HA angle confirms the hypothesis that the head tends to remain above the pelvis in a small cone of stability. This study provides an analysis of the determinants of OD-HA and the reference range of the head-pelvis balance in each decade and gender based on a large-scale asymptomatic population.

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BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciopathy (PF) is usually related to changes in foot arch, foot shape and rearfoot posture. However, little research has been implemented by using large-scale datasets, and even less has been conducted centering on plantar pressure distributions (PPDs) of different genders of PF athletes. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among the arch index (AI), the PPDs and the rearfoot postural alignment in hundreds of college athletes with PF during static standing and walking. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 100 male and 102 female athletes with PF was undertaken. The PF athletes' pain assessment and self-reported health status were examined for evaluating their musculoskeletal painful areas. RESULTS: The PF athletes' PPDs mainly concentrated on inner feet in static standing, and transferred to lateral forefeet during the midstance phase of walking. The males' PPDs from the static standing to the midstance phase of walking mainly transferred to anterolateral feet. The females' PPDs mainly transferred to posterolateral feet. The PF athletes' static rearfoot alignment matched the valgus posture pattern. The medial band of plantar fascia and calcaneus were the common musculoskeletal pain areas. CONCLUSIONS: Characteristics of higher plantar loads beneath medial feet associated with rearfoot valgus in bipedal static stance could be the traceable features for PF-related foot diagrams. Higher plantar loads mainly exerted on the lateral forefoot during the midstance phase of walking, and specifically concentrated on outer feet during the transition from static to dynamic state. Pain profiles seem to echo PPDs, which could function as the traceable beginning for the possible link among pronated low-arched feet, PF, metatarsalgia, calcanitis and Achilles tendinitis.

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OBJECTIVE: To examine the changes in postural alignment and kyphosis-correlated factors after 6 months of back extensor strengthening exercise in a group of community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years. METHODS: We quasi-randomized 29 subjects into an intervention group treated with a back extensor strengthening program and a control group treated with a full-body exercise program. These groups completed 20-30 minutes of exercise directed by a physical therapist one or more times per week and were instructed to exercise at home as well. The participants were assessed prior to and after the intervention using the following criteria: postural alignment of "usual" and "best" posture, physical function, physical performance, self-efficacy, and quality of life. The differences between two factors (group and period) were compared for each of the measurement variables. RESULTS: Subjects who adequately completed the exercises were analyzed. A reduced knee flexion angle was noted in the "best" posture of both groups, as were improved physical function and performance with the exception of one-leg standing time. Verifying the effect size in the post-hoc analysis, the body parts that showed changes to postural alignment after the intervention differed between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Back extensor strengthening exercises improved physical function and performance, but did not improve spinal alignment. The changes due to these interventions were not significantly different from changes observed in the full-body exercise group. However, post-hoc analysis revealed that the effect size of posture change was different, possible indicating that the two groups experienced different changes in the postural alignment.

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The maintenance of upright balance in healthy humans requires the preservation of a horizontal gaze, best achieved through dynamical adjustments of spinal curvatures and a pelvic tilt that keeps the head-to-pelvis alignment close to vertical. It is currently unknown whether the spinal and pelvic compensations of respiratory-related postural perturbations are associated with preservation of the head-to-pelvis vertical alignment. We tested this hypothesis by comparing postural alignment variables at extreme lung volume (total lung capacity, TLC; residual volume, RV) with their reference value at functional residual capacity (FRC). Forty-eight healthy subjects [22 women; median age of 34 (26; 48) years] were studied using low dose biplanar X-rays (BPXR; EOS®system). Personalized three-dimensional models of the spine and pelvis were reconstructed at the three lung volumes. Extreme lung volumes were associated with changes of thoracic curvature bringing it outside the normal range. Maximal inspiration reduced thoracic kyphosis [T1-T12 angle = 47° (37; 56), -4° variation (-9; 1), p = 0.0007] while maximal expiration induced hyperkyphosis [T1-T12 angle = 63° (55; 68); +10° variation (5; 12), p = 9 × 10-12]. Statistically significant (all p < 0.01) cervical and pelvic compensatory changes occurred [C3-C7 angle: +4° (-2; 11) and pelvic tilt +1° (0; 3) during maximal inspiration; C3-C7 angle: -7° (-18; -1) and pelvic tilt +5° (1; 8) during maximal expiration], resulting in preserved head-to-pelvis alignment (no change in the angle between the vertical plane and the line connecting the odontoid process and the midpoint of the line connecting the center of the two femoral heads ODHA). Lung volume related postural perturbations were more marked as a function of age, but age did not affect the head-to-pelvis alignment. These findings should help understand balance alterations in patients with chronic respiratory diseases that modify lung volume and rib cage geometry.

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BACKGROUND: Postural deviations such as forward head posture (FHP) are associated with adverse health effects. The causes of these deviations are poorly understood. We hypothesized that anticipating target-directed movement could cause the head to get "ahead of" the body, interfering with optimal head/neck posture, and that the effect may be exacerbated by task difficulty and/or poor inhibitory control. METHOD: We assessed posture in 45 healthy young adults standing quietly and when they anticipated walking to place a tray: in a simple condition and in conditions requiring that they bend low or balance an object on the tray. We defined FHP as neck angle relative to torso; we also measured head angle relative to neck and total neck length. We assessed inhibitory control using a Go/No-Go task, Stroop task, and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). RESULTS: FHP increased when participants anticipated movement, particularly for more difficult movements. Worse Stroop performance and lower MAAS scores correlated with higher FHP. False alarms on the Go/No-Go task correlated with a more extended head relative to the neck and with shortening of the neck when anticipating movement. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining neutral posture may require inhibition of an impulse to put the head forward of the body when anticipating target-directed movement.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Postural asymmetries may cause structural pathological conditions and impaired movement pattern. The influence of body position and awareness towards symmetry has not yet been elucidated. The aim of this study was twofold: First, to compare the body positional bilateral symmetry between standing and supine positions, and second, to examine whether the awareness to symmetry can modify posture perception and body positional bilateral symmetry. METHODS: We analyzed the degree of anterior postural alignment symmetry of 34 healthy subjects by photogrammetric method (three photographs in a standing position and three in a supine position). Each photo captured different state of awareness: Subjective Comfortable Posture (SCP), Subjective Perceived Symmetrical Posture (SPSP), and Guided Posture Protocol (GPP). RESULTS: The standing position increased the symmetrical alignment of the neck (p < 0.013) and the upper limbs (p < 0.011). However, the supine position demonstrated increased symmetrical alignment of the upper trunk (p < 0.019) and the feet (p < 0.002). In the standing position, GPP showed greater symmetry of the neck (p < 0.022), the shoulders (p < 0.014), the thorax midline (p < 0.009), the upper trunk (p < 0.000) and the upper limbs (p < 0.029). No significant changes were observed in the supine position between the three states of awareness. CONCLUSIONS: Study results indicate that the supine position shows greater degree of upper trunk's symmetrical alignment than the standing position. It also indicates that while standing, focusing attention into symmetry improves body positional bilateral symmetry. These results might have clinical implications when working with patients who suffer from asymmetric posture.

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PURPOSE: The aim was to quantify the postural alignment of asymptomatic elderly, in comparison to a reference population, searching for possible invariants and compensatory mechanisms. METHODS: 41 volunteers (49-76 years old) underwent bi-planar X-rays with 3D reconstructions of the spine and pelvis. Alignment parameters were compared with those of a reference group of asymptomatic subjects younger than 40 years old, with a particular focus on center of acoustic meati (CAM) and odontoid (OD) with regard to hip axis (HA). Possible markers of compensation were also investigated. RESULTS: No significant difference among groups appeared for CAM-HA and OD-HA parameters. Twenty four percent of elders had an abnormally high SVA value and twenty seven percent had an abnormal global spine inclination. Increased pelvic tilt and cervical lordosis allowed maintaining the head above the pelvis. CONCLUSIONS: CAM-HA and OD-HA appeared quasi-invariant even in asymptomatic elderly. Some subjects exhibited alteration of spine alignment, compensated at the pelvis and cervical regions.

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BACKGROUND: Standing postural alignment in children with cerebral palsy is usually altered by central postural control disorders. The primary aim of this study is to describe body alignment in a quiet standing position in ambulatory children with bilateral cerebral palsy compared with children with typical development. METHODS: Fifty-eight children with bilateral cerebral palsy (aged 7-13years) and 45 age-matched children with typical development underwent a surface topography examination based on Moiré topography and were classified according to their sagittal postural profiles. FINDINGS: The following eight grouping variables were extracted using a data reduction technique: angle of trunk inclination, pelvic tilt, and lordosis, the difference between kyphosis and lordosis, angle of vertebral lateral curvature, shoulder inclination, and shoulder and pelvic rotation. According to the cluster analysis results, 25% of the participants were classified into Cluster 1, 9% into Cluster 2, 49% in Cluster 3, and 17% in Cluster 4. INTERPRETATION: Three different postural patterns emerged in accordance with the sagittal postural profiles in children with bilateral cerebral palsy and were defined as follows: 1) a lordotic postural pattern corresponding to forward-leaning posture; 2) a swayback postural pattern corresponding to backward-leaning posture; and 3) a balanced postural pattern corresponding to balanced posture.

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Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de un programa de ejercicio físico sobre el alineamiento postural en estudiantes de 8 a 11 años. Materiales y métodos: participaron once estudiantes de ambos sexos distribuidos aleatoriamente, el grupo experimental (GE, n= 6) con edad promedio 10,0±1,22 años; y el grupo control (GC, n=5) 9,5±0,54 años.El programa se ejecutó en 36 sesiones (duración: 45 min cada sesión. Frecuencia: 3 días por semana). El alineamiento postural fue evaluado por medio de la fotogrametría y analizado en el programa Kinovea 0.8.7. Resultados: los datos indicaronuna efectividad del programa de ejercicio físico disminuyendo el desalineamiento significativamente en regiones del mentón e infra-esternal en la vista anterior, vertex y cervical 7 en la vista posterior. El GC no presentó mejoras. Conclusión: el programa de ejercicio físico con una duración de 12 semanas y con una periodización linear reduce el desalineamiento postural existente y promueve el alineamiento corporal en escolares de 8 a 11 años. Las implicaciones a nivel clínico-educativo sugieren que sea recomendada la prescripción de ejercicios físicos específicos para la correcciónde desalineamientos posturales en esta franja etaria. Así mismo, a nivel científico se alienta a futuros trabajos en ésta línea y el control de otros factores ambientales...(AU)

Objective: to evaluate the effect of an exercise program on postural alignment students from 8 to 11 years. Materials end methods: a total of eleven students of both sexes randomized, experimental group (GE, n = 6) with mean age 10.0 ± 1.22 years; and control group (CG, n = 5) 9.50 ± 0.54 years. The program was implemented in 36 sessions (duration: 45 minutes each session. Frequency: 3 days per week). Postural alignment was evaluated by photogrammetry and analyzed in the Kinovea 0.8.7 program.Results: the data showed an effectiveness of exercise program significantly reducing the misalignment regions chin and breastbone lowin the previous view, vertex and cervical 7 in the rear view. The GC did not show improvements. Conclusion: the exercise program lasting 12 weeks and linear periodization reduces existing postural misalignment and promotes body alignment in school from 8 to 12 years. The implications for clinical and educational level suggests it is recommended prescribing specific physical exercises for the correction of postural misalignments in this age group. Also, to encourage scientific level future work in this line and control of other environmental factors...(AU)

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Objectives: Aging is associated with cognitive decline, including visuomotor and memory concerns, and with motor system changes, including gait slowing and stooped posture. We investigated the associations of visuomotor performance and episodic memory with motor system characteristics in healthy older adults. Methods: Neurologically healthy older adults (N = 160, aged 50-89) completed a battery of cognitive and motor tasks. Cognitive variables were grouped by principal components analysis (PCA) into two components: visuomotor performance and verbal episodic memory. Our primary predictor variables were two aspects of motor function: timed-up-and-go (TUG) speed and neck angle. Additional predictor variables included demographic factors (age, sex and education) and indicators of physical fitness (body mass index/BMI and grip strength). All seven predictor variables were entered stepwise into a multiple regression model for each cognitive component. Results: Poor visuomotor performance was best predicted by a combination of advanced age, high BMI and slow TUG, whereas poor verbal memory performance was best predicted by a combination of advanced age, male sex, low education and acute neck angle. Conclusions: Upright posture and mobility were associated with different cognitive processes, suggesting different underlying neural mechanisms. These results provide the first evidence for a link between postural alignment and cognitive functioning in healthy older adults. Possible causal relationships are discussed.

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OBJECTIVES: To determine the reliability and validity of the Saliba Postural Classification System (SPCS). METHODS: Two physical therapists classified pictures of 100 volunteer participants standing in their habitual posture for inter and intra-tester reliability. For validity, 54 participants stood on a force plate in a habitual and a corrected posture, while a vertical force was applied through the shoulders until the clinician felt a postural give. Data were extracted at the time the give was felt and at a time in the corrected posture that matched the peak vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) in the habitual posture. RESULTS: Inter-tester reliability demonstrated 75% agreement with a Kappa = 0.64 (95% CI = 0.524-0.756, SE = 0.059). Intra-tester reliability demonstrated 87% agreement with a Kappa = 0.8, (95% CI = 0.702-0.898, SE = 0.05) and 80% agreement with a Kappa = 0.706, (95% CI = 0.594-0818, SE = 0.057). The examiner applied a significantly higher (p < 0.001) peak vertical force in the corrected posture prior to a postural give when compared to the habitual posture. Within the corrected posture, the %VGRF was higher when the test was ongoing vs. when a postural give was felt (p < 0.001). The %VGRF was not different between the two postures when comparing the peaks (p = 0.214). DISCUSSION: The SPCS has substantial agreement for inter- and intra-tester reliability and is largely a valid postural classification system as determined by the larger vertical forces in the corrected postures. Further studies on the correlation between the SPCS and diagnostic classifications are indicated.

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[Purpose] This study attempted to examine whether Pilates is an effective exercise for improving the postural alignment and health of middle-aged women. [Subjects and Methods] The participants in this study were 36 middle-aged women (20 in the experimental group, 16 in the control group). The experimental group participated in Pilates exercise sessions three times a week for 12 weeks. Body alignment and composition measurements before and after applying the Pilates exercise program were performed with a body composition analyzer and a three-dimensional scanner. [Results] Postural alignment in the sagittal and horizontal planes was enhanced in the Pilates exercise group. Trunk alignment showed correlations with body fat and muscle mass. [Conclusion] The Pilates exercises are performed symmetrically and strengthen the deep muscles. Moreover, the results showed that muscle mass was correlated with trunk postural alignment and that the proper amount of muscle is critical in maintaining trunk postural alignment.

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PURPOSE: Our study aims to describe the postural alignment of young asymptomatic subjects from head to feet from bi-planar standing full-body X-rays, providing database to compare to aging adults. Novelty resides in the inclusion of the head and lower limbs in the erected posture's analysis. METHODS: For 69 young asymptomatic subjects (18-40 years old) 3D reconstructions of the head, spine, pelvis and lower limbs segments were performed from bi-planar full-body X-rays. Usual studied spinal, pelvic and lower limbs' parameters were computed in 3D, sagittal and frontal planes of the patient. Relationships between these parameters were investigated. Inclinations of different lines were studied to characterize the erected posture. RESULTS: Values found for spinal curvatures, pelvic parameters and lower limbs geometrical parameters agreed with the literature: thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt and sagittal vertical axis were respectively in average of 26.9° (SD 7.2°), 30.5° (SD 7.5°), 51.0° (SD 9.4°), 11.1° (SD 5.6°) and -8.9 mm (SD 21.6 mm). The angle between the vertical and the line joining the most superior point of dentiform apophyse of C2 (OD) and the center of the bi-coxofemoral axis (HA) was the less variable one (SD 1.6°). CONCLUSIONS: This study on 3D postural alignment reports the geometry of the spine, pelvis and lower limbs, of the young asymptomatic adult. The less variable angle is the one of the line OD-HA with the vertical, highlighting the vertical alignment of the head above the pelvis. This study provides a basis for future comparisons when investigating aging populations.

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Although rehabilitative training is a necessary adjunct in the management of gait ataxia, it remains unknown whether the possible beneficial effect of intensive coordinative training may translate to activities of daily living, which are closely connected with postural alignment. The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of a 2-week intensive coordinative motor training on speech production. Speech and motor performances in a cohort of ten individuals with cerebellar degeneration were examined three times; before the introduction of training, directly and 4 weeks after the last training session. Each patient was instructed to perform a speaking task of fast syllable repetition and monologue. Objective acoustic analyses were used to investigate six key aspects of speech production disturbed in ataxic dysarthria including accuracy of consonant articulation, accuracy of vowel articulation, irregular alternating motion rates, prolonged phonemes, slow alternating motion rates and inappropriate segmentation. We found that coordinative training had a mild beneficial effect on speech in cerebellar patients. Immediately after the last training session, slight speech improvements were evident in all ten patients. Furthermore, follow-up assessment performed 4 weeks later revealed that 90 % of the patients showed better speech performance than before initiation of the therapy. The present study supports evidence that the intensive rehabilitative training may positively affect fine-motor movements such as speech in patients with cerebellar ataxia.

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