Two-dimensional photographic posture recording and description: a validity study

Posture recording and description is necessary to yield data by which postural load can be assessed. In this paper an inexpensive and simple method to gather these data is described, ie two-dimensional (2-D) posture recording and description by means of photography. A disadvantage of this method, perspective error, is discussed and guidelines are given to reduce it. The validity of the method was experimentally tested for a situation slightly conflicting with some guidelines, ie recording of the whole body, with a small distance between camera and subject. For this purpose posture recording with 2-D photography was compared with posture recording by means of a three-dimensional optoelectronic system (Vicon). In general, 2-D photographic posture recording and description is a valid method as long as some guidelines for reduction of perspective error are followed.