Re:The tyranny of chairs: why we need better design
by AtlasBarfed on Saturday August 29, 2020 @10:22PM
(#24320848)
Sitting does two things: it causes your hip flexors to do work all day, and it prevents your gluteus maximus from doing anything at all.
Doing this for hours on end trains the body tries to use its hip flexors for everything. Standing, lifting things, walking, even slow running. The hip flexors aren't meant to do this, and they are connected of course to your back muscles.
But the back muscles activated in concert with the hip flexors are not the "right" ones. They contort your back and cause imbalances and eventually back pain.
Running CAN help undo this.
But at certain paces of running (very slow ones that aren't much more than walking), the butt still is not used well, and you're not working to undo the 8+ hours of training you've given your hip flexors.
The more vigorous the running, the more your "prime path" evolutionary pathways of hamstrings, gluteus maximi, and lower back will be activated and trained.
Of course the older you are, the harder it is to do these paces, either sustained or speedwork.
Straight leg deadlifts can also help, but still isn't as good training for undoing the sitting position.
Doing this for hours on end trains the body tries to use its hip flexors for everything. Standing, lifting things, walking, even slow running. The hip flexors aren't meant to do this, and they are connected of course to your back muscles.
But the back muscles activated in concert with the hip flexors are not the "right" ones. They contort your back and cause imbalances and eventually back pain.
Running CAN help undo this.
But at certain paces of running (very slow ones that aren't much more than walking), the butt still is not used well, and you're not working to undo the 8+ hours of training you've given your hip flexors.
The more vigorous the running, the more your "prime path" evolutionary pathways of hamstrings, gluteus maximi, and lower back will be activated and trained.
Of course the older you are, the harder it is to do these paces, either sustained or speedwork.
Straight leg deadlifts can also help, but still isn't as good training for undoing the sitting position.