Turning Posture Assessments into Real-World Solutions

Tom McGuire, PhD

Back in June, I shared how we used the PostureScreen® app to assess dozens and dozens of young adults (athletes and non-athletes), and demonstrated that a simple, reproducible posture protocol can work "on the road" (i.e., outside of a biomechanics lab.)

But collecting posture data is just the first step. The bigger question is: What do we do with those results?

What the Patterns Tell Us

My dissertation showed that both groups had unique postural “fingerprints,” subtle differences that can have clinical implications. Recognizing these differences matters because it points to tailored interventions rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

Why This Matters for Health and Performance

Posture isn’t just about how someone looks standing still, it influences how the body moves, performs, and ages. For example, small misalignments can lead to overuse injuries in athletes or chronic pain in office workers. On the other hand, proper alignment allows muscles and joints to work more efficiently, which translates to better strength, speed, and endurance. Correcting postural deviations reduces stress on the spine and joints, lowering the risk of long-term issues like arthritis or disc problems.

So, how do we move from data collection to actual change?

My ongoing research is now moving into this intervention phase, testing whether targeted corrective strategies actually reduce deviations over time. The ultimate goal is to develop a repeatable, field-friendly model that not only assesses posture but actively improves it - and one that directly addresses long-term athlete health.

 

15-June-2025

Cracking the Code on Posture: How We Assessed Young Adults Using the PostureScreen® App

Why Posture Matters (More Than You Think!)

Think about the last time you sat slouched over your phone or laptop. Did your neck ache afterward? Maybe your shoulders felt tight? That’s posture at work, good and bad!  For athletes, posture problems often come from repeating the same sport-specific movements over and over again. A swimmer might develop rounded shoulders, while a tennis player may tilt more to one side from years of swings. Non-athletes aren’t off the hook either. Hours of sitting, “tech neck,” and weak core support can all throw the body out of alignment.

The reality? Poor posture can cause pain, reduce performance, and even increase risk for injuries. That’s why we need reliable ways to measure and track posture in everyday settings, not just fancy labs with expensive motion capture systems.

Our Big Question

Could we create a simple, reproducible method for assessing posture in young adults, athletes and non-athletes alike, using a tool that anyone can access?

That’s where the PostureScreen® app came in!  It’s a mobile app that analyzes static posture from photos and provides real-time measurements of head, shoulder, hip, and knee alignment.

How We Put It to the Test

The Participants

• 60 college students (ages 18–21)

  • 30 athletes: At least 4 years of high school sports (everything from baseball to swimming to cheerleading)

  • 30 non-athletes: No high school sports background

Everyone volunteered, signed consent forms, and showed up ready to stand tall (or not so tall).

The Setup

We kept things simple, but standardized, so the results would be reliable:

• Participants wore fitted athletic clothes (no jewelry, hats, or distractions).

• They stood on floor markers to make sure feet were placed the same way every time.

• We used a tripod-mounted iPad to take photos at consistent height and angle.

• Each person was photographed from four views: front, right side, back, and left side.

The App

The PostureScreen® app let us drop digital markers on body landmarks (ear, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle) and then calculated deviations. Think of it as “connecting the dots” to see how far someone’s posture strayed from ideal alignment.

What We Found

The goal of this project wasn’t about proving which group had “better” posture (though athletes and non-athletes did show subtle differences). It was about showing that the process works.... and it did.

• We collected complete, clear datasets on all 60 students.

• The images were consistent and high-quality.

• The protocol was easy to repeat, which means other coaches, trainers, or health professionals could use it.

Why This Matters

Here’s why this protocol is exciting:

• Affordable and accessible: no need for a biomechanics lab, just a phone or tablet and a tripod.

• Versatile: can be used with athletes, patients, or general populations.

• Practical applications: injury prevention, rehab tracking, workplace ergonomics, and athletic screening.

For example:

• A coach could quickly screen a whole team before the season.

• A physical therapist could track progress over a rehab program.

• A healthcare professional could use it to design corrective exercises.

What’s Next?

This study opens the door to even bigger projects:

• Testing larger and more diverse groups.

• Tracking posture changes over time.

• Analyzing dynamic/rotational posture.

• Pairing posture assessments with performance testing to see how alignment affects function.

With tools like PostureScreen®, we now have a standardized, reproducible way to measure posture in many real-world settings.

 

References

McGuire, T. J., Jr. (2025). Sport specific postural deviations: An analysis of influence, intervention, and long-term postural health in athletes. Liberty University Digital Commons. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7272

PostureCo, Inc. (n.d.). PostureScreen: Accurate postural assessment – the #1 A.I. ComputerVision postural app. https://www.postureanalysis.com/

 

About the Author

Tom McGuire is passionate about helping athletes move better, perform stronger, and recover faster by identifying and addressing movement and postural issues early—before they become limiting or injury-producing.