Authors: I. Vařeka 1-3; R. Dvořák 3 Authors‘ workplace: Rehabilitační klinika FN Hradec Králové 1; Lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Hradec Králové 2; Fakulta tělesné kultury, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci 3 Published in: Rehabil. fyz. Lék., 105, 2025, No. 3, pp. 132-135. Category: Review Article doi: https://doi.org/10.48095/ccrhfl2025132
The metaphor of posture accompanying movement as a shadow is an integral part of our understanding of the nature of posture and its significance in movement. Authorship is usually attributed to Robert Magnus or Sir Charles Sherrington, but this metaphor does not appear in usually cited sources. Our search using the current capabilities of online libraries as well as search tools has shown that the original author of the metaphor was probably Ramsay Hunt, from whom Sherrington took it. This particular example underlines the importance of returning to the original sources and taking a responsible approach to citation, no matter how tedious this often is. Also, the importance of critically reading a professional text, regardless of the aura or laurel wreath surrounding the head of its author.
posture – shadow – metaphor – misquoting – original source
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