Some people just sit, cross their legs and forget about it. That would include most of the world. We do it automatically. Why give it a second’s thought?
Scientists, however, have been doing a lot of thinking on the topic. For example, they say 62% of people cross their right leg over the left. Twenty-six percent cross the other way. The rest have no preference.
And they note the possibility of health implications, too.
The idea seems remote. After all, crossing your legs isn’t like smoking a pack a day. But researchers say health complications can occur over the long term for those habitual crossers, especially when doing so for a good length of time.
A 2020 study found cross-legged sitting can cause a misalignment of the hips. Two years earlier, scientists found it changes the speed of blood flow in our lower limbs. That’s an invitation for blot clots.
Ever wondered why nurses take your blood pressure with your feet flat on the floor? Crossing the legs can cause high-blood pressure by pooling blood in the veins. It’s a temporary spike.
And that’s saying nothing about how it can also misalign the spine and shoulders. The body is a system, and when something goes out of kilter in one place, it can cause a chain reaction of sorts.
Scientists have found other potential problems. One is especially concerning for couples starting a family. It seems crossing legs significantly increases the temperature of male testes, which can lower sperm count and quality.
If you absolutely must do something with your legs, scientists note that crossing them at your ankles poses fewer long-term health concerns.
That just might give you a leg up on a healthier life.