Definition - What does standing posture mean?
Standing posture refers to the body's physical positioning when standing. It is how an individual holds his or her body upright. Proper standing posture aligns the body's bones and joints and balances the load of each muscle group in use. An imbalanced or poor standing posture, sometimes called awkward posture, can place strain on the musculoskeletal system leading to pain or injury. To protect employees from stress injuries or other musculoskeletal disorders, workstations and training should be designed to encourage workers to use appropriate standing postures.
SureHire explains standing posture
A correct standing posture is one in which the shoulders and hips are aligned above the feet. Arms and legs should be held in a relaxed position. A person who holds his or her knees in a locked or stiff knee position can cause joint strain or reduced blood flow to his or her legs.
Additionally, a person's shoulders should not be slumped forward when standing or their back excessively arched. However, some curvature of the back is normal. Additionally, a good standing posture is one in which the hips are level and the person's weight evenly distributed. Although, if an individual must stand for a prolonged period of time, he or she should shift his or her body weight from one foot to the other on occasion. Shifting body weight from heel to toe will also help an individual in a standing position relax and flex the body's muscles and help prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
