So that’s something to consider if you’re seeing a lot of W sitting in your family.
It has been a cause of concern for researchers for years that sitting in the popular “W sitting” or “television sitting” position, with the thighs flat against the ground and the knees bent, could lead to physical changes in the joints and make physical activity more difficult later on in life. However, the general consensus from peer-reviewed studies is that any physical changes related to this sitting position are likely to be outgrown. It is possible, however, that genetics may be a factor in why some people prefer to sit in this position.
Data suggests that W sitting can stretch out the ligaments and make people hypermobile, or double-jointed, which can cause pain and health problems. It has also been associated with rotated leg and ankle bones, inturned toes, and flat feet, which could make walking harder. However, a study of adolescents and adults found no decrease in running skills among those with inturned toes. Additionally, most people grow out of rotation, loose joints, and flat feet around 10 years old.
A study of more than 1,000 preschool children found that 63.3% of them sat in the W style, but only 5.9% of the kids had inturned toes. Of the kids with inturned toes, 80.6% sat in the W position. This suggests that people who are already rotated may be more comfortable sitting in this position.
Finally, people with heritable disorders of the connective tissue, such as Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders, Joint Hypermobility, and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, may be born with a predisposition to be hypermobile, and may find this position more comfortable. Sometimes, even if you sit in a particular way, you can still be hypermobile. People living with a Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) can have difficulties in self-awareness in space, fragile soft tissue, and weak muscles, leading to fatigue, joint sprains, joint dislocations, and chronic pain. However, not everyone diagnosed with HSD will experience all of these symptoms, as there are over 20 different kinds of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Additionally, W sitting does not necessarily indicate hypermobility; someone can W sit without having HSD. Therefore, W sitting does not automatically mean you should worry.
We recommend SciShow Kids for children who enjoy watching TV. Hosted by Jessi and her friends at the Fort, viewers can learn about weird creatures, study the stars, conduct experiments, and ask questions. It’s a great way to introduce science to kids in the early grades of elementary school! Check it out at youtube.com/scishowkids.