There are many speculations about possible health risks of sitting too long and crossing your legs. However, a recent study has been conducted and its findings will make you feel a little better if you feel guilty of crossing your legs all the time. Generally, crossing one's legs at the knee or at the ankle does not have any negative impact on our health according to the study.
In a report published by Newser, there are no concrete links that could be established with crossing your legs and varicose veins, nerve damage and elevated blood pressure. Furthermore, the report also said that "you're unlikely to do yourself any damage provided you don't stay in the same position until your legs are numb". Staying in one position for many hours without moving can lead to a condition known as "peroneal nerve palsy" however this goes true for any position.
More importantly, it debunks the myth that says that crossing one's legs can elevate blood pressure. While most studies show that there's indeed a momentary elevation in blood pressure when crossing legs, it actually goes away quickly. Unless one suffers a high risk of blood clots, it is reported that there's no possible long term harm.
Now for being the cause of varicose veins, many experts have repeatedly pointed out their fingers to genetics. Other studies have stated that crossing legs can prevent blood from flowing back in the right direction and if the valves become stretched and weakened, the blood can pool resulting to enlarged veins or commonly known as varicose veins.
Now that it has been established that crossing legs does not lead to elevated blood pressure and varicose veins, what does it do to our joints? A recent study from the University of Medical Centre in Rotterdam finds that crossing the legs at the knee increases elongation of the piriformis muscle by 11 percent compared to sitting with legs not crossed. The proponents of the study believe that crossing your legs while sitting increases stability in pelvic joints.
Now that more studies are out to prove that leg crossing does not prove harmful to our health, you may now enjoy doing such and save space while riding in public transportations.
