The effects of sitting with the right leg crossed on the trunk length and pelvic torsion of healthy individuals.
Byung Joon Lee, Hyun Gyu Cha, Wan Hee Lee
PMID 27942141WHAT IT FOUND
Crossing the right leg over the left knee while sitting for 20 minutes shortened the trunk and increased posterior rotation of the right pelvis in 30 healthy adults.
This is a short-term posture change, not proof of pain or deformity.
Key findings
01In 30 healthy adults, trunk length decreased from 471.2 ± 25.8 mm to 459.0 ± 22.4 mm after sitting with the right leg crossed for 20 minutes.
02Pelvic torsion changed from 1.0 ± 1.6° to -1.5 ± 2.2° after the posture, with the right pelvis showing posterior rotation.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 30 healthy adults with a mean age of 20.42 ± 0.98 years, so it does not show what happens in older people or people with spinal, lower-limb, or neurological conditions. The posture was observed for only 20 minutes, and the authors state that participants were not observed for long hours. The authors state that the study could not identify the effects of the posture on trunk stabilizers. The methods mention comparison before, 20 minutes after, and 40 minutes after, but the reported table only gives pre and post values. The paper does not report randomisation, blinding, or a control group, and the outcomes were postural measurements rather than pain or function.
Declared interests
The supplied text does not report funding or conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that crossing the right leg causes scoliosis or back pain. The study measured only short-term trunk and pelvic posture in 30 healthy adults, did not follow them for long hours, and did not test pain or deformity outcomes.