Hi everyone!
I'm trying to understand my posture and figure out what kind of postural pattern I have. Based on these two side-view photos, does the first photo (my more problematic, relaxed posture) look like sway-back posture, or could it be something else?
I'm 6'7" (200 cm) tall and weigh 163 lbs (74 kg). I feel that my body is quite weak for my size, and I want to build strength and muscle while improving my posture.
My observations
I've noticed that I can maintain a more aligned posture when I consciously pay attention to how I'm standing, as shown in the second photo. However, when I stand casually and relax without actively thinking about my posture, my body tends to shift into the position shown in the first photo.
This happens during ordinary activities that involve simply standing, such as brushing my teeth.
In the first photo, my pelvis appears to shift forward while my upper trunk/rib cage moves backward relative to it. My pelvis itself doesn't seem to be significantly tilted, which makes me wonder whether this is primarily forward translation of the pelvis rather than anterior pelvic tilt.
Does this difference between my consciously corrected posture and my habitual relaxed posture tell us anything about the underlying biomechanics or possible muscle imbalances?
My current hypothesis about muscle imbalances
I wonder whether some muscles may be overworked or chronically tense, while others may not be providing enough postural support or motor control.
Potentially overactive or overworked:
- Lumbar erector spinae
- Iliopsoas
- Rectus femoris
Potentially underactive or needing more strengthening and motor control:
- Transverse abdominis
- Internal and external obliques
- Gluteus maximus
- Gluteus medius
- Deep spinal stabilizers, particularly the multifidus
I understand these are only hypotheses. I'm not assuming that a particular posture automatically means certain muscles are weak or tight. I'd appreciate feedback on whether this list makes biomechanical sense or whether I'm misunderstanding the underlying mechanism.
My goal is to strengthen my whole body, but I want to understand which muscle groups might deserve more attention and which areas, if genuinely overactive or restricted, might benefit from mobility work or relaxation.
A little background on my situation
I have ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune condition that affects my spine and joints. Despite this, I stay active and do basic exercises and other physical activities. I adjust the volume and intensity to what I can tolerate and gradually work on improving my strength and physical condition.
Unfortunately, I haven't received much practical help from doctors in my region when it comes to figuring out how to train effectively with my condition and individual biomechanical issues. The advice I've received so far hasn't really addressed my specific needs, so I've started studying biomechanics myself to better understand my posture and movement patterns.
I'm not trying to avoid exercise or looking for reasons not to train. I want to build strength and muscle, improve my movement, and find a sustainable way to progress. I just want to understand what's happening mechanically so I can make better decisions about exercise selection, technique, and training priorities.
My questions
- Does the posture in the first photo look like sway-back posture, or is another postural pattern more likely?
- Does the forward displacement of the pelvis combined with the backward displacement of the rib cage fit that pattern, even if the pelvis itself isn't noticeably tilted?
- Does the fact that I can consciously maintain a more aligned posture but tend to shift into the problematic position when I relax tell us anything useful about the possible cause?
- Are my hypotheses about potentially overworked versus underactive muscles reasonable, or would you investigate different muscle groups?
- What movement assessments or functional tests could help distinguish between these possibilities?
- If this is sway-back posture, which muscles or movement patterns would you prioritize when designing a strengthening program, and what would you address through mobility work or relaxation?
I'd be especially grateful for biomechanical explanations, relevant resources, or personal experience with a similar posture. I'm trying to understand the actual mechanism rather than blindly stretching and strengthening muscles based on appearance alone.
Thank you!