Types

• Among the six different types of postures in Carey's "Pain-Free Program" book, three highly influence how your abdominal muscles function and appear. The anterior pelvic tilt is when your pelvis tilts forward excessively, causing your abdominals to protrude and your buttocks to lift up because of the raised tailbone. The posterior pelvic tilt is when your pelvis tilts backward, causing your buttocks to tuck beneath your body and your abdominals to lengthen. Kyphosis is the excessive curve of the upper spine, causing your chest and outer abs to compress, your shoulders to round forward and your spine to resemble a C-shape rather than an S-shape.
  
  

Effects

• All these posture types cause weakness in your abs, hips and back. When the abdominal muscles are weak, the result is back and hip pain and abnormal movements that cause your joints to have uneven wear. Carey states that you can develop arthritis, spondylosis, sprains, muscle spasms and other joint diseases.
  
  

Prevention

• Physical therapist Chris Frederick, co-author of "Stretch to Win," recommends performing corrective exercises that improve your posture and strengthen your inner abdominals, back and hips. If you do these exercises daily, you minimize the risk of injury and prevent further deterioration of your body.