http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6187080.stm

Sitting straight 'bad for backs'

Slouching over a desk is certainly not recommended

Sitting up straight is not the best position for office workers, a study has suggested.

Scottish and Canadian researchers used a new form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to show it places an unnecessary strain on your back.

They told the Radiological Society of North America that the best position in which to sit at your desk is leaning back, at about 135 degrees.

Experts said sitting was known to contribute to lower back pain.

Data from the British Chiropractic Association says 32% of the population spends more than 10 hours a day seated.

Half do not leave their desks, even to have lunch.

Two thirds of people also sit down at home when they get home from work.

Spinal angles

The research was carried out at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen.

Twenty two volunteers with healthy backs were scanned using a positional MRI machine, which allows patients the freedom to move - so they can sit or stand - during the test.

Our bodies are not designed to be so sedentary

Rishi Loatey, British Chiropractic Association

Traditional scanners mean patients have to lie flat, which may mask causes of pain that stem from different movements or postures.

In this study, the patients assumed three different sitting positions: a slouching position, in which the body is hunched forward as if they were leaning over a desk or a video game console, an upright 90-degree sitting position; and a "relaxed" position where they leaned back at 135 degrees while their feet remained on the floor.

The researchers then took measurements of spinal angles and spinal disk height and movement across the different positions.

Spinal disk movement occurs when weight-bearing strain is placed on the spine, causing the disk to move out of place.

Disk movement was found to be most pronounced with a 90-degree upright sitting posture.

It was least pronounced with the 135-degree posture, suggesting less strain is placed on the spinal disks and associated muscles and tendons in a more relaxed sitting position.

The "slouch" position revealed a reduction in spinal disk height, signifying a high rate of wear and tear on the lowest two spinal levels.

When they looked at all test results, the researchers said the 135-degree position was the best for backs, and say this is how people should sit.

'Tendency to slide'

Dr Waseem Bashir of the Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging at the University of Alberta Hospital, Canada, who led the study, said: "Sitting in a sound anatomic position is essential, since the strain put on the spine and its associated ligaments over time can lead to pain, deformity and chronic illness."

Rishi Loatey of the British Chiropractic Association said: "One in three people suffer from lower back pain and to sit for long periods of time certainly contributes to this, as our bodies are not designed to be so sedentary."

Levent Caglar from the charity BackCare, added: "In general, opening up the angle between the trunk and the thighs in a seated posture is a good idea and it will improve the shape of the spine, making it more like the natural S-shape in a standing posture.

"As to what is the best angle between thigh and torso when seated, reclining at 135 degrees can make sitting more difficult as there is a tendency to slide off the seat: 120 degrees or less may be better."

no wonder we always complain about backache and such, that's probably due to sitting position. But in secondary school, teachers will always ask us to sit straight so we'll be awake. That's probably misleading. For me, i find that 135 degrees is a comfortable position to sit in, what about you?

Sunday, June 20, 2010

let's go for a swim

Singapore

HOME > BREAKING NEWS > SINGAPORE > STORY

Jun 16, 2010

What causes flash floods?

The PUB is investigating the cause of the flood, especially in the worst-hit Orchard Road/Scotts Road intersection, where the flood waters reached 300 mm high, flooding basement carparks and shops, destroying goods and disrupting businesses. -- PHOTO: KHALEEL RAHMAN

THIS question was asked by scores of Singaporeans as they battled one of the worst flash floods which wrought havoc in many areas on Wednesday after a heavy early morning downpour.

The PUB is investigating the cause of the flood, especially in the worst-hit Orchard Road/Scotts Road intersection, where the flood waters reached 300 mm high, flooding basement carparks and shops, destroying goods and disrupting businesses.

The last known major flooding in the area was in 1984. But the investigations can only be carried out when the water level in the drains have fully subsided, said the PUB in an udpate on the flooding situation late Wednesday afternoon. It also warned that the flash floods may still occur in the event of heavy storms and urged the public to exercise caution.

PUB said about 100 mm of rain fell from 9am to 11am over many parts of central Singapore, with two peaks at 9.30 am and 10.30 am. The amount of rain recorded was 'more than 60 per cent of the average monthly rainfall for June,' said a PUB statement. The average rainfall for June is 162 mm.

When the rain first started at about 8am, PUB mobilised its contractors and staff on standby at hotspots and flood-prone areas, including Cuscaden Road, Wilby Road, Jalan Haji Alias and Little India.

When the torrent intensified at about 9.15am, the Traffic Police were alerted. PUB also despatched its officers and contractors to help stranded motorists, residents whose homes were flooded and owners of premises at affected locations.

'At the Upper Bukit Timah area, our men operated the flood gate and this helped to mitigate flooding in that area. PUB also sent sms alerts to the management of condominiums located in the area when the water level sensor reached 75 per cent at about 9.30am,' said PUB.

A second more intense storm fell over the central part of Singapore at about 10.30am. The worst-hit was the Orchard Road/ Scotts Road intersection, where the flood waters rose to almost knee-high. The deluge subsided within one hour, at about 11.30am.

PUB officers and contractors are clearing up the debris on the roads as well as assisting premise owners to pump out water from their basements.

The public can obtain the latest weather reports, including heavy rain warnings, by tuning in to radio broadcasts, calling NEA's weather forecast hotline at 6542 7788, visiting the NEA website atwww.nea.gov.sg or accessing the mobile weather service (Weather@SG - weather.nea.gov.sg).

The public can also call PUB's 24-hour Call Centre at 1800-284 6600 to report obstructions in drains or to check the flood situation.