Research Article

A photo-anthropometric study of students' head and neck posture during the use of anatomical models in practical anatomy classes

Volume: 9 Number: 1 January 5, 2026
TR EN

A photo-anthropometric study of students' head and neck posture during the use of anatomical models in practical anatomy classes

Abstract

Aims: Anatomical models are widely used in practical anatomy classes for their ease of use and effectiveness in learning and teaching. This study aimed to assess head and neck posture via photo-anthropometry while students viewed anatomical models, and to compare it with neutral standing and sitting postures. Methods: This study included 120 young adults participants from the Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences. Each student was photographed with a digital camera from anterior, posterior, and lateral views in neutral sitting, neutral standing, model usage sitting and model usage standing. This resulted in 12 photographs per participant. Measurements were taken using photo antropometric methods and the ImageJ software. These are sagittal head tilt angle, coronal head tilt angle, head position angle, neck tilt angle, and forward head shift when evaluating different postural conditions. . Results: The collected data were analyzed for correlations with variables such as gender, posture (sitting/standing), model usage (with/without), faculty and BMI. A moderate positive correlation was found between gender and forward head shift (0.319), and between faculty affiliation and neck tilt angle (0.303). This indicates posture differences based on gender and academic program. A strong negative correlation between faculty affiliation and head position angle (-0.394) suggests task-specific posture variation between faculties. BMI showed a strong positive correlation with forward head shift (0.374) and a negative correlation with head position angle (-0.279). This implies that higher BMI is related to higher forward head posture and lower head angles during model use. Conclusion: Students should be informed about common incorrect head and neck postures before anatomy training.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This work has been supported by Izmir Bakircay University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit, under grant number BBAP.2023.008.

Project Number

BBAP.2023.008

Ethical Statement

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The study received approval from the Ethical Review Board of Bakircay University School of Medicine, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to testing (Decision No: 1042, Research No: 1022, Date: May 17, 2023).

Thanks

The authors would like to thank all volunteers and students who participated in this study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Kinantropometri, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 5, 2026

Submission Date

December 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 26, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Bedre Duygu, Ö., Govsa, F., Temelci, H., & Öner, Z. (2026). A photo-anthropometric study of students’ head and neck posture during the use of anatomical models in practical anatomy classes. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(1), 184-192. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1835680
AMA
1.Bedre Duygu Ö, Govsa F, Temelci H, Öner Z. A photo-anthropometric study of students’ head and neck posture during the use of anatomical models in practical anatomy classes. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(1):184-192. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1835680
Chicago
Bedre Duygu, Özden, Figen Govsa, Halide Temelci, and Zulal Öner. 2026. “A Photo-Anthropometric Study of Students’ Head and Neck Posture During the Use of Anatomical Models in Practical Anatomy Classes”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (1): 184-92. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1835680.
EndNote
Bedre Duygu Ö, Govsa F, Temelci H, Öner Z (January 1, 2026) A photo-anthropometric study of students’ head and neck posture during the use of anatomical models in practical anatomy classes. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 1 184–192.
IEEE
[1]Ö. Bedre Duygu, F. Govsa, H. Temelci, and Z. Öner, “A photo-anthropometric study of students’ head and neck posture during the use of anatomical models in practical anatomy classes”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 184–192, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1835680.
ISNAD
Bedre Duygu, Özden - Govsa, Figen - Temelci, Halide - Öner, Zulal. “A Photo-Anthropometric Study of Students’ Head and Neck Posture During the Use of Anatomical Models in Practical Anatomy Classes”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/1 (January 1, 2026): 184-192. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1835680.
JAMA
1.Bedre Duygu Ö, Govsa F, Temelci H, Öner Z. A photo-anthropometric study of students’ head and neck posture during the use of anatomical models in practical anatomy classes. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:184–192.
MLA
Bedre Duygu, Özden, et al. “A Photo-Anthropometric Study of Students’ Head and Neck Posture During the Use of Anatomical Models in Practical Anatomy Classes”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 184-92, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1835680.
Vancouver
1.Özden Bedre Duygu, Figen Govsa, Halide Temelci, Zulal Öner. A photo-anthropometric study of students’ head and neck posture during the use of anatomical models in practical anatomy classes. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026 Jan. 1;9(1):184-92. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1835680

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