Kehaasendi

Kehaasendi is the Estonian term for body posture, referring to the position and alignment of the body's segments in space under the influence of gravity. It includes both static postures held at rest and dynamic postures maintained during movement. A typical neutral posture aims to align the head, spine, pelvis, hips, knees, and ankles in a balanced arrangement, while allowing natural curves of the spine and stable weight distribution.

Assessment of kehaasendi is common in fields such as physiotherapy, sports science, and ergonomics. It can be done by visual observation by trained professionals or with objective tools such as inclinometers, goniometers, or motion-capture systems. Posture is often described as good or poor based on the alignment of key body segments and the presence of deviations. Common postural deviations include forward head posture, rounded shoulders, increased thoracic kyphosis, altered lumbar curvature, and anterior pelvic tilt.

Why it matters: kehaasendi influences comfort, movement efficiency, and the risk of musculoskeletal pain or injury. In work, sport, and daily life, poor posture can contribute to neck, back, and shoulder problems, while improved posture may enhance balance and performance. Management typically involves ergonomic adjustments, targeted exercises to strengthen and stretch relevant muscles, and habit changes to promote healthier alignment during daily activities and training.

In Estonian usage, kehaasendi is the genitive form of kehaasend and appears in phrases such as kehaasendi hindamine (assessment of body posture) and kehaasendi korrigeerimine (correction of body posture). See also ergonomics, physiotherapy, and biomechanics.