Snežana Milićev, Kristina Vukušić

From the aspect of model efficiency, taking up and maintaining a proper postural position implies the efficiency of the muscular work of antigravity muscles, with reduced load on the spinal column. It is necessary to know the complex impact of muscular activity on posture to correct improper and consolidate proper psychomotor scheme in a timely manner, and to maintain it stable in the variable conditions of gravity’s effect. Maintaining proper posture is not only a mechanical phenomenon, which is observed from the aspects of weight and muscle contraction torques. It is important to raise awareness about the position of certain joints, as well as the feeling of the degree of muscle tension. Due to the weakness of selective muscles and adaptive shortening of certain muscles, unwanted compensatory movements and positions emerge, disturbing the psychomotor scheme of movement. Selective strengthening and stretching exercises are compulsory, but they are insufficient in the corrective exercise treatment. In order to achieve a stable and proper postural status, it is necessary to underline the impact of proprioception as a constituent in the consolidation of the bodily awareness of correct posture. By practising an “active” postural position on a stable base, first with open, and then with closed eyes, one acquires an adequate bodily awareness. Later on, it is improved by taking up and maintaining a postural position on an unstable base, as well as through the functional learning of movements. From the practical aspect of the implementation of therapeutic exercises, timely perception and correction of the scheme of movements and positions that emerge due to the impact of altered muscular activity, it is essential to have an individual approach to each patient

Keywords: bodily awareness, compensatory movements, proprioception, postural position

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