Is There A Wrong Way To Sit for babies?

As a child, you may have been cautioned against assuming certain sitting positions for your own well-being. One specific sitting position, popular among children, has been a subject of concern among researchers for quite some time. This position, known as "W sitting," "television sitting," or "reverse tailor position," involves having your thighs flat on the ground in front of you while your knees are bent, placing your ankles on either side of your buttocks. The worry is that sitting in this manner may alter the development of your joints and potentially hinder physical activity later in life. Although there are conflicting findings, the general consensus among peer-reviewed studies indicates that any physical changes associated with this sitting position are likely to resolve as you grow older, unless your preference for this sitting style is solely due to genetics. So, let's explore what the data suggests about the actual risks of W sitting.

Over the years, researchers have published papers describing W sitting as a position that can stretch out your ligaments and make you hypermobile if you sit in this position for prolonged periods. Hypermobile refers to the ability to flex certain body parts, such as fingers, elbows, and knees, beyond the average range of motion. You might have heard it referred to as being "double-jointed." While it may seem intriguing to have the ability to move in ways that most people cannot, it can also lead to considerable pain and health issues. This sitting position has also been linked to rotated leg and ankle bones, inturned toes, and flat feet, which some researchers suggest could make walking more challenging. This is where some of the concern arises. However, let's examine these associations more closely to gain a comprehensive understanding.

One concern is that these lower body rotations may make movement more difficult later in life. However, a study involving adolescents and adults found no decrease in running abilities among individuals with turned-in toes (also known as pigeon toes) compared to those without this condition. Therefore, it is unlikely to affect your physical performance in the long run. Additionally, several studies indicate that most individuals naturally grow out of rotational issues, loose joints, and flat feet by the age of 10. So, if you observe these conditions in children, they may resolve on their own.

Now, let's address the overarching concern that a particular sitting style will lead to physical changes in your body. It is quite common for kids to sit in the W style. A study involving over 1,000 preschool children found that 63.3% of them sat in this infamous W position. However, only 5.9% of the children in the study had inturned toes, which is a much smaller group compared to those who sit in the W style. Of the children with inturned toes, 80.6% sat in the W position. This indicates that sitting in the W position does not necessarily lead to the development of inturned toes and other rotations, as only a small proportion of individuals who sit that way exhibit such physical traits. However, it is true that more individuals with inturned toes tend to sit in the W position compared to sitting cross-legged. This suggests that people who are already rotated may find it more comfortable to sit in this manner. If your legs or feet are positioned differently from others, you may naturally find alternative sitting positions that work better with your body instead of trying to force yourself into a position that others find comfortable. This can especially occur for individuals diagnosed with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders, such as Joint Hypermobility and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

These disorders are hereditary conditions that affect the connective tissue, which helps you sense the position of your muscles and body parts (proprioception). While they can also be acquired through surgery or traumatic events, some individuals are born with a predisposition for hypermobility. In the 21st century, researchers have identified over a dozen new genes related to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and have traced its inheritance through family lines. This means that sometimes hypermobility is present regardless of how you sit. However, if you live with a Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, sitting might be the least of your concerns. When you are extremely flexible, your spatial awareness is compromised, your soft tissue is delicate, and your muscles are weak, creating a perfect storm for injuries. Fatigue, joint sprains, joint dislocation, and chronic pain are common experiences. Nevertheless, not every individual diagnosed with a Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder will encounter all of these challenges since related diagnoses are often grouped together, and there are over 20 different types of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome alone. Therefore, W sitting is not necessarily a guarantee that you will experience all of these symptoms. Just because people with joint hypermobility are more likely to sit in this position does not mean that everyone who adopts this sitting style is hypermobile. Hence, the "W" in W sitting doesn't necessarily have to stand for "worry."

Thank you for reading this information. If you know a child who enjoys sitting in front of a TV in any way, we recommend a great YouTube channel: SciShow Kids! Hosted by Jessi and her friends at the Fort, they explore weird creatures, study the stars, conduct experiments, and answer questions from young viewers. It's a fun introduction to science for kids in the early grades of elementary school!