I’m an expert, so don’t sit cross-legged

Many people prefer to sit on a chair, either at home on the couch or in the office.

But now an expert has revealed the reasons why people shouldn’t sit cross-legged and the long-term effects the habit can have on the body.

There are two ways to put sacrum in a chair: at the knees or at the ankles.

Although it can feel very pleasant, it can potentially have many adverse effects on the body – from increased blood pressure to a reduction in sperm count.

According to The Conversation, an estimated 62 percent of people walk from right to left, 26 percent prefer the opposite and 12 percent have no preference.

But Professor Adam Taylor, director of the Clinical Anatomy Learning Center at Lancaster University, has revealed why one should not sit cross-legged.

malposition of the skeleton

Sitting habits can have a huge impact on the body.

Research suggests that sitting cross-legged can cause hip misalignment – when one hip is higher than the other.

Crossing your legs can also cause long-lasting changes in the arrangement of the bones in the spine and shoulders.

The head can also be out of place due to the changes in the neck bones caused by overcompensating spin to keep the center of gravity over the pelvis.

The neck, pelvis and lower back can also be affected, as cross-legged sitting can lead to a muscle imbalance between the right and left sides of the body over time, leading to weakness, stiffness and reduced range of motion.

The benefits of cross-legged sitting

Sitting cross-legged can reduce activity in the obliques – the muscles on the side of your torso – compared to sitting with your legs forward.

This can help relax core muscles and prevent overexertion.

Studies also suggest that sitting in this position can improve the stability of the sacroiliac joints – the joints responsible for transferring weight between the spine and legs.

More seriously, this shaping of the bones can also increase the likelihood of scoliosis – when the spine twists and bends to one side, says Professor Taylor.

sperm production

Research has found that sitting with one leg crossed can affect a man’s sperm count.

When you sit, the temperature of the testicles already rises by 2°C.

But that number rises to 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) when the legs are crossed.

However, the ideal temperature for sperm production is 2 °C to 6 °C (35.6 °F to 42.8 °F) below body temperature, which is approximately 37 °C (98.6 °F).

Studies suggest that higher temperatures can lower a man’s sperm count and lower sperm quality – making it harder to conceive naturally.

However, men cross their legs less often than women.

Professor Taylor said: “Due to differences in the anatomy of men and women, it is likely that women find it much easier to cross-legged – particularly as men have a limited range of motion in the hip.”

blood clot

Sitting cross-legged constricts the blood vessels in the lower limbs.

This slows the speed of blood through your arteries and can lead to blood clots.

Blood clots are gel-like collections of blood that form when blood changes from liquid to partially solid.

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in the leg or pelvis, usually caused by insufficient exercise, such as walking. B. by sitting for a long time at work or after surgery.

Blood clots can be a normal physical reaction, eg. B. when the skin is cut or scraped as this prevents excessive bleeding and turns into scabs.

Professor Taylor concluded: ‘It’s probably better not to cross your legs if you can.

However, many of the risk factors associated with crossing your legs are likely exacerbated by other underlying issues, such as a sedentary lifestyle and obesity.

“That’s why the most important advice is not to sit in the same position for too long and to stay active regularly.”