Computerized photogrammetric assessment of postural alignment in visually impaired athletes

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to provide a computerized photogrammetric description of the postural alignment of visually impaired athletes.

Methods: Twenty-six athletes were evaluated. Athletes were asked to stand at easy with styrofoam balls placed on selected anatomical landmarks, and photographic images were acquired in four viewpoints. Postural Assessment Software (PAS/SAPO) was applied for image analysis. Body's angles and distances were calculated and transformed in absolute (nonnegative) values for analysis. Factor analysis was applied for data reduction.

Results: Absolute values of PAS/SAPO variables resulted in lower coefficient of variation (CV) than raw values (average of 57% versus 500%, respectively), which potentially enhances the comparative use of these measures. Head's forward positioning and rightward inclination were among the most prevalent postural deviation, being observed in more than 70% of the athletes. With respect to the magnitude of the deviation, large variability was observed in data derived from anterior/posterior compared with lateral viewpoint. For instance, head's rightward inclination (head horizontal alignment in the anterior view) achieved 2.9 ± 2.5° (mean ± SD), with a CV of 86%, while head's forward positioning (C7 horizontal alignment in left viewpoint) reaches 42.7 ± 6.6°, with a CV of only 16%. Factor analysis did not result in significant data reduction, although anterior body's angles and distances were identified as important sources of data variability.

Conclusions: The PAS/SAPO values described here can be adopted as reference for future investigations of postural alignment in visually impaired athletes.

Keywords: Blindness; Body posture; Injury prevention; Paralympic sports.