Best Sitting Posture Is Not Straight Up 291
An anonymous reader writes, "Researchers at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland used a new form of magnetic resonance imaging to collect images from 22 healthy volunteers, who assumed three different sitting positions: slouching posture in which the body is hunched forward, an upright 90-degree sitting position, and a relaxed position where the subject reclined backward 135 degrees. They concluded that the reclined position is the best, and the forward slouch the worst." From the article: "'We were not created to sit down for long hours, but somehow modern life requires the vast majority of the global population to work in a seated position,' Dr. Bashir said. 'This made our search for the optimal sitting position all the more important.'"
not surprising (Score:1, Interesting)
Best for the back... (Score:5, Interesting)
In other words, can you please do a study confirming (to my employer, of course) that this 135 degree reclined position does not adversely affect my the bloodflow to the brain, attention span, ability to perform complex mental tasks, etc?
From my anecdotal experience with video games, I can definitely say that my performance is much better when I am leaning forward than when I am reclining -- though this may also have something to do with distance from the monitor, etc.
Curling and slithering like a worm is good too (Score:5, Interesting)
My work had some ergonomics person come in and monitor us for a few minutes and ask us questions about our chairs and desks. Apparently someone at my work must have developed some sort of carpal tunnel or something because in the 6 years I've been here this was the first time I was ever asked about how I liked my desk or chair. Anyway I don't actually sit in my chair, I tend to curl up into it, and essentially I sit on one leg at a time and lean to the left or right depending on which leg is under me. I also am a big fan of occasionally placing both feet up on the APC under the desk and leaning from side to side.
In addition to this I don't stay in any one position very long, but rather am constantly shifting or moving from time to time. The lady interviewing me told me that this was actually good and that only people who confine themselves to one given position for a very long time (read entire work day) are the ones who generally have trouble or develop problems with their joints.
So slither and fidget in your chair, it's good for you.
Admiral Rickover knew this... (Score:5, Interesting)
In his office he had two inches chopped off of the front two legs of his "guest" chairs, which forced guests in his office to be leaning forward. This put them in an uncomfortable position and gave him a subliminal "upper hand" over his guests.
Adm. Rickover knew this 50 years ago. This study is nothing but a confirmation of common sense.
Re:Lessons from DS9 (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Best for the back... (Score:3, Interesting)
Welcome to the 70's (Score:5, Interesting)
Since I have never found a kneeling chair that doesn't suck I tend to sit on the edge of my chair with my knees down, roughly approximating the "optimal" 135 degree angle. Rough on the chair, but over the long haul it makes my back happier.
Re:Best for the back... (Score:3, Interesting)
I agree you need a bigger monitor. Subconsciously you might be trying to get closer to the action going on in your monitor. When the scene is wrapped around you in real windows, there isn't the same desire to scoot the head forward.
Re:Best for the back... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Vast majority? (Score:5, Interesting)
They would spend their days either sitting on a couch or a bar stool. They would slouch backward on a couch, which is good, or slouch forward on a bar stool, which is bad.
75% of the first-world economy is in the service sector. This tends to mean desk jobs. Farmers would probably spend a good deal of time sitting while driving equipment or filing for government hand-outs. Many factory workers would be seated, too, on stools to assemble small items. I would guess that less than 10% of jobs require a significant amount of standing/moving.
Re:Is it just me... (Score:4, Interesting)
This is actually one of the better pseudo-scientific studies at least, can finally get some closure on all those times I was told 'SIT UP STRAIGHT!'
Re:Is it just me... (Score:3, Interesting)
If it's too late for you.... (Score:5, Interesting)
- Avoid sitting. Stand up and walk around every half hour. More often if possible.
- When you are sitting, try to lean back like TFA says.
- Every night, before you go to bed, decompress your lower spine: lie on your back and put a few books (about 4-5 inches high) beneath your coccyx. NOT the small of you back - I'm talking about the top of your butt-crack: there is a flat area of bone there, put the pile of books there and lie out flat with your arms over your head for a few minutes. If it hurts - then it's doing some good. If you feel a "crack" then even better: that's some tension coming out.
- Turn over and do the "cobra" position. Plant your hands on the floor and jam your hips down to the ground so that your spine bends backwards in a massive curve. Keep this position (and keep your head and neck up straight) for a few minutes at a time.
- If you're not fit, consider also doing some stomach curls (Google 'em) and lower back strengthening routines. The better your musculature is around there, the better those muscles can support your spine and prevent injury by sudden movement. Movement which, if your lower spine is compressed by lots of sitting, will be more damaging.
There is it. Your 5-mins per day spinal insurance policy.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor - I'm (former) back pain sufferer that got rid of the pain by doing the above.
Is 135 degrees really necessary? (Score:2, Interesting)
Old-school management types might more readily accept a slightly reclined posture than one that takes your torso 45 degrees away from the vertical.
Subject (Score:3, Interesting)