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On 26/03/2001, Barbara Banwell<[log in to unmask]> writes: << Mel--when you were carrying the load on your head--do you recall the position of the pelvis--neutral--anterior or posterior tilt? Were you even conscious of your lower body position? Just curious, because of previous comments about loads and lifts--thanks >> *** The trained body tends to optimise all conditions which suit a given individual, so that one does not make a conscious effort to carry out such tasks. My Xhosa and Zulu friends and workers who carried heavy objects on their heads would have been the last to think about anatomy, since the task was so very natural to them. Anyway, I cannot think of anyone who would wish to use posterior pelvic tilt while carrying or lifting, because this tends to flatten or round the lumbar spine, which is the last thing one wishes to encourage during heavy load manoeuvering, especially if rotation occurs during walking or stair climbing. The general view would appear to favour a 'neutral' spinal position, though, of course, longitudinal loading tends to elicit a stiffening and lengthening response by the spine (it has been suggested that this may be one reason why carrying loads on the head may improve standing posture). Dr Mel C Siff Denver, USA http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Supertraining/