Sitting for extended periods of time on a consistent basis, like at work or home (or both) could be the root cause of many running injuries that manifest themselves through running and any other fitness activities. According to Matt Fitzgerald in his book “Brain Training for Runners”, sitting causes major muscle imbalances whereby some muscles become extremely tight and others extremely weak. , these imbalances can cause pain in the lower back, reduce fitness performance, and promote injuries like runner’s knee and IT band syndrome among many others. Our muscles work constantly to maintain balance with one another. To explain it simply, let’s use the bicep/triceps pair as an example. If you bend your arm to a 90 degree position you will notice that your bicep tightens while your triceps relax to allow that movement. Now relax and straighten your arm. Your bicep relaxes while your triceps tighten and contract to straighten your arm out. Now, take that example and apply it to every movement you make in your body.

That same thing occurs while running and explains our natural disposition for movement. Sitting causes only some muscles to contract or flex while never allowing the other balancing muscles to do anything. , the most common sign of muscle imbalance due to sitting a lot (which is nearly all of us) is weakness or tightness in the following muscle pairs: deep abdominal muscles and hip flexors, buttocks and hips, and hamstrings and quadriceps. Furthermore, these signs of muscle imbalances can quickly transform into a number of injuries and running performance reducers including, but not limited to: Abnormally tight hamstrings and hip flexors which don’t allow for the full range of motion required for an efficient stride (gait). Tendonitis of the hip flexors due to tight hip flexors. Patellorfemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee) due to the lack of strength of the quadriceps and its inability to track your knee properly. The opposing muscle to the quadriceps is the hamstring which tightens while sitting.

Weak buttocks and outer hip muscles cause instability in the hips, knees and pelvis which can cause illiotibial band syndrome (IT Band Syndrome) among many other related hip and pelvis injuries. Weak abdominal muscles, caused by sitting, allow the pelvis to tilt forward while running and can result in lower back pain and hip flexor tendonitis. You can protect yourself from the punishing side effects of sitting by incorporating several beneficial habits, stretches, and strengthening activities into your daily routinevitra eames chair feet Correct Sitting Posture: Correct posture can almost alleviate all muscle imbalance issues caused by sitting. where to buy pellets for bean bag chairsTo initiate correct posture, place your monitor at eye level if at all possible. chair cover hire merseyside

Avoid slouching to engage the abs. Keep your mouse close to your body and your feet comfortably flat on the floor. Also, make sure your chair has a high and straight back rest. Some people also use a physio-ball to achieve good posture. Move Around: It’s very important to move around as often as possible. This software will help remind you to move around at certain time intervals. You should move around once every 20 to 30 minutes for at least 3 minutes at a time. herman miller chairs dallas texasConsequently, your legs will be refreshed by the influx of oxygenated blood and you will begin to feel more awake. best chair for lumbar disc herniationOh, and this will give your eyes and mind break, too.beach chair rentals cocoa beach fl

Exercise Weak or Underused Muscles: Wherever you are most comfortable, do sit-ups, pushups and/or other various core related strength exercises just before lunch or during an extended break. Stretch: Stretch out your hamstrings, hip flexors, shoulders, neck and back throughout the day. Here is a great website that illustrates some helpful stretches. Tightens hamstrings and hip flexors Weakens glutes and hip muscles. Helps promote running and walking injuries. Correct Your Sitting Posture Exercise weak or underused musclesHome » Featured » 5 Stretches You Can Do In Your Office Chair Featured, Fitness News & Advice, Mobile Slider Featured 2. Hip Flexors Stretch Tight hip flexors are a common culprit in low back disorders, hip pain, and knee pain. Sitting all day encourages the muscles to shorten, which is why maintaining flexibility and getting up out of sitting position frequently is important. To stretch the hip flexors, start by standing in front of your chair, facing away from it.

Place one foot on the back of the chair and bend the knee of the supporting leg to allow you to sink into the stretch. You can intensify or modify the stretch by squeezing the glutes on the stretched side. Another way to modify the stretch is to add the same arm as the side that is stretched; reach over your head as you bend slightly towards your opposite hip. Following this stretch by simply squeezing both glutes while standing will further encourage the hip flexors to relax. Nine-to-Five Jobs the Healthiest, Study Suggests 11 Dos and Don'ts for Workplace Wellness Professional Burnout Linked to Length of Commute 10 Tips for Perfect Posture Staying Active with an Office Job Working Longer Hours Increases Risk of Stroke, Study Finds 5 Forms of Workout Bribery that Work! Too Much Overtime Can Kill You 6 Facts for Women with Vericose Veins 8 Tips for Preventing Hearing Loss Fitting in Lunchtime Fitness 7 Facts on Mental Health Awareness for Mental Health Week