Can sadness alter posture?

SummaryThe present study investigated the existence of a relationship between subjective sadness and body posture in 28 women, aged between 20 and 39 years, who had a normal body mass indices (or were underweight) and an absence of neurological, psychiatric or musculoskeletal disorders. The postural parameter photographed was protraction of the shoulder. The degree of sadness was rated by analog scales representing current and usual sadness. The results indicated that a relationship exists between protraction of the shoulder and usual sadness (p = 0.05). However, there was no relationship between current sadness and the shoulder position. In conclusion, the usual sadness can lead to shoulder protraction.