vilopositionen

Vilopositionen is a term used to describe the resting position of a body part or the body as a whole. It is defined as the posture taken when muscles are at minimal tonic activity and no external forces act on the system. This position serves as a baseline for dynamic movement and for assessing alignment and function.

The exact vilopositionen varies with anatomy and context. For example, spinal vilopositionen is often described as a neutral spine with natural curvatures; limb segments show relaxed alignment with minimal muscle tone. Gravity, connective tissue properties, and neuromuscular tone influence the resting posture.

In practice, vilopositionen is used in rehabilitation, ergonomics, sports science, and dentistry to assess posture, design supports and seating, guide therapeutic exercises, and monitor changes over time. Deviation from the resting position can be linked to discomfort, overuse injuries, or musculoskeletal disorders.

Measurements commonly use biomechanical recordings, electromyography, or motion capture to identify the rest position and compare it to active postures. The concept also informs the study of motor control and motor learning by providing a reference state.

Etymology and usage: the term is Swedish, built from vila 'to rest' and positionen 'the position'. It is used across clinical and research contexts to denote the non-active baseline posture.