The use of anatomy models is very common among students who are becoming healthcare professionals due to its ease of learning, and teaching in practical lessons. The purpose of this research was to determine upper extremity posture by photo-anthropometry during anatomy model use, compared with those in neutral standing and sitting postures. A total of 120 subjects (73 females and 47 males), aged 18 to 25 years from the Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences, participated in this study. Students’ elbow flexion angle, wrist ulnar deviation angle, carrying angle, shoulder angle, axilla height angle, and olecranon angles were measured using a photographic method and the ImageJ software program in different positions. The obtained measurements were analyzed for correlations with gender, standing/sitting, with/without model, faculties, and BMI. Male students had lower elbow flexion angles during model use in standing and sitting positions and they had lower wrist ulnar deviation angles during model use in sitting position compared to female students. Medical students had higher wrist ulnar deviation angles in standing and neutral positions, and they had higher shoulder angles, axilla height angles, and olecranon angles in all positions compared to Health Sciences students. Students with higher BMI had lower wrist ulnar deviation angles and carrying angles in standing and neutral positions. Practical anatomy training with the model should be done in proper positions for preventing the development of postural scoliosis, carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndromes. The training environment should be designed in anatomy practice rooms to prevent incorrect posture.
Duygu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.