squatting position

Squatting comes from the Old French esquatir/escatir, meaning to "compress/press down".Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of squat. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://www.etymonline.com/word/squat The weight-lifting sense of squatting is from 1954.

File:Gopnikslav_(cropped).jpg "slav squat"|293x293px]]Full squatting involves resting one's weight on the feet with the buttocks resting on the backs of the calves. It may be used as a posture for resting or working at ground level particularly where the ground is too dirty or wet to sit or kneel.

Most Western adults cannot place their heels flat on the ground when squatting because of shortened Achilles tendons which may be caused by habits:{{cite journal | last1 = Kasuyama | first1 = Tatsuya | last2 = Sakamoto | first2 = Masaaki | last3 = Nakazawa | first3 = Rie | title = Ankle Joint Dorsiflexion Measurement Using the Deep Squatting Posture | journal = Journal of Physical Therapy Science | publisher = Society of Physical Therapy Science | volume = 21 | issue = 2 | year = 2009 | issn = 0915-5287 | doi = 10.1589/jpts.21.195 | pages = 195–199}}{{cite journal | last1 = Krause | first1 = David A. | last2 = Cloud | first2 = Beth A. | last3 = Forster | first3 = Lindsey A. | last4 = Schrank | first4 = Jennifer A. | last5 = Hollman | first5 = John H. | title = Measurement of Ankle Dorsiflexion: A Comparison of Active and Passive Techniques in Multiple Positions | journal = Journal of Sport Rehabilitation | publisher = Human Kinetics | volume = 20 | issue = 3 | year = 2011 | issn = 1056-6716 | doi = 10.1123/jsr.20.3.333 | pages = 333–344 | pmid = 21828385 | url = https://archivosdemedicinadeldeporte.com/articulos/upload/or1_Guillen.pdf | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20240630112500/https://archivosdemedicinadeldeporte.com/articulos/upload/or1_Guillen.pdf | archivedate = 2024-06-30 | url-status = live}}{{cite web | last = DPT | first = Bryan Ausinheiler | title = The #1 reason why people find deep squatting difficult | website = Posture Movement Pain | date = 2012-11-28 | url = https://posturemovementpain.com/2012/11/27/the-1-reason-why-people-find-deep-squatting-difficult/ | access-date = 2024-10-28 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20220303033554/https://posturemovementpain.com/2012/11/27/the-1-reason-why-people-find-deep-squatting-difficult/ | archivedate = 2022-03-03 | url-status = live}}{{Failed verification | date = October 2023 | reason = The references here probably support the failure to full-squat because of short Achilles tendon / 'poor' dorsiflexion, but may not support 'Most Western adults', 'habits', 'chairs/seats', 'wearing shoes with heals'.}}

• sitting on chairs or seats
• wearing shoes with heels (especially high heels)

For this reason the squatting position is usually not sustainable for them for more than a few minutes as heels-up squatting is a less stable position than heels-down squatting.Mauss, Marcel. [http://classiques.uqac.ca/classiques/mauss_marcel/socio_et_anthropo/6_Techniques_corps/Techniques_corps.html Les Techniques du corps] 1934. Journal de Psychologie 32 (3–4). Reprinted in Mauss, Sociologie et anthropologie, 1936, Paris: PUF. See also dorsiflexion.

Desmond Morris distinguished seven variant forms of squat as: Squat-kneel; Flat-footed Squat (the Asian squat,{{Cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Fanjia |last2=Zhou |first2=Chenlei |last3=Luo |first3=Lina |last4=Huang |first4=Shangjun |last5=Niu |first5=Wenxin |date=2021 |title=Comparison of the Lower Limb Kinematics and Muscle Activation Between Asian Squat and Western Squat |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.16156/j.1004-7220.2021.05.07 |journal=Journal of Medical Biomechanics |language=zh |pages=E705–E711|doi=10.16156/j.1004-7220.2021.05.07 |doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 }} or Slav squat); Tiptoe Squat (the Western squat,{{Cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Fanjia |last2=Zhou |first2=Chenlei |last3=Luo |first3=Lina |last4=Huang |first4=Shangjun |last5=Niu |first5=Wenxin |date=2021 |title=Comparison of the Lower Limb Kinematics and Muscle Activation Between Asian Squat and Western Squat |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.16156/j.1004-7220.2021.05.07 |journal=Journal of Medical Biomechanics |language=zh |pages=E705–E711|doi=10.16156/j.1004-7220.2021.05.07 |doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 }} or heels-raised squat); Squat-sit; Legs-fold; Lotus position; and Legs Side-curl.D Morris, Manwatching (London 1987) p. 312-3{{Relevance inline|date=October 2024|reason=This paragraph describes sitting-on-the-ground positions that, even if he refers to them as squats, still conflict with the definition provided above. Additionally, they require clarifications to make them more useful; otherwise, they may raise more questions than they provide useful information. }}

Equivalents to the Slav squat (see Gopnik) in Western culture, sometimes with the hands together in a prayer position, are the rap squat, prison pose, and jail pose. They are often used as photographic poses.Love, D. (2015, June 24). [https://web.archive.org/web/20161019191058/http://www.dailydot.com/unclick/russian-gopnik-squat-shot/ Has Russia totally reinvented the rap squat?] - The Daily Dot.{{Cite web |last=Millard |first=Drew |date=27 December 2013 |title=Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Rap Squats but Were Afraid to Ask |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-rap-squats-but-were-afraid-to-ask/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515160948/https://www.vice.com/en/article/645gbr/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-rap-squats-but-were-afraid-to-ask |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |website=Vice}}{{cite web |last1=Cabatingan |first1=Lux |title=Trend Alert: Gang Signs are Out, Rap Squats Are In |url=http://www.ixdaily.com/drop-your-skirt/trend-alert-gang-signs-are-out-and-rap-squats-are |website=IX Daily |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221204657/http://www.ixdaily.com:80/drop-your-skirt/trend-alert-gang-signs-are-out-and-rap-squats-are |archive-date=21 February 2015 |url-status=dead |date=15 September 2014}}

File:Marine_Corps_officer_candidate_participate_in_physical_training.jpg officer candidate squatting as an exercise]]{{Main|Squat (exercise)}}

In strength training, the squat is a full body exercise that trains primarily the muscles of the thighs, hips and buttocks, as well as strengthening the bones, ligaments and insertion of the tendons throughout the lower body. Squats are considered a vital exercise for increasing the strength and size of the legs and buttocks.

The pistols squat is a one legged squat common in crossfit exercises in which the non-working leg is kept horizontal.

The burpee is a full body exercise used in strength training and as an aerobic exercise that involves a squat. The basic movement is performed in four steps and known as a "four-count burpee".

File:Upaveśāsana.jpg yoga pose]]{{Main|Yoga|Mālāsana}}

Upaveśāsana (literally "sitting down pose"), also known as Mālāsana meaning "garland pose", or simply the yoga squat, is an asana.{{Cite web |last1=Lo |first1=Kimberly |date=9 October 2013 |title=5 Yoga Tips to Open Up the Hips. |url=http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/10/5-yoga-tips-to-open-up-the-hips/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922022428/https://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/10/5-yoga-tips-to-open-up-the-hips/ |archive-date=Sep 22, 2023 |website=elephant journal}}

The āsana is a squat with heels flat on the floor and hip-width apart (or slightly wider if necessary), toes pointing out on a diagonal. The torso is brought forward between the thighs, elbows are braced against the inside of the knees, and the hands press together in front of the chest in Añjali Mudrā.{{cite web |date=28 August 2007 |title=Garland Pose |url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2472 |access-date=2009-06-12 |publisher=Yoga Journal}}

In Taoist Tai Chi, the "Dan Yu" (spine stretching) exercise involves squatting. It is intended to work primarily the pelvic region, the legs and the lower back. Fifty or more repetitions may be performed in advanced classes. The feet are placed in a stance wider than the shoulders. When squatting the knees move in the direction of the feet.Yang Chengfu (1931), Taijiquan Shiyongfa (Application methods of Taijiquan)Yang Chengfu (1934), Taijiquan Tiyong Quanshu (Complete Book of the Essence and Applications of Taijiquan)Yang Chengfu and Louis Swaim, tr. (2005). The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan. North Atlantic Books. {{ISBN|978-1-55643-545-4}}.

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| footer = Wolves and foxes urinate in a squatting position.{{Cite book |last1=Elbroch |first1=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j_KaDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA433 |title=Mammal Tracks & Sign: A Guide to North American Species |last2=McFarland |first2=Casey |date=2019-08-23 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-8117-6778-1 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Muller-Schwarze |first=D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WHzVBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA14 |title=Chemical Signals: Vertebrates and Aquatic Invertebrates |date=2012-12-06 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=978-1-4684-1027-3 |language=en}}

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| image1 = Canis lupus arctos IMG 9100.jpg

| image2 = A single female wolf leaves her scent in the road during the breeding season (51784666827).jpg

| image3 = Canidae Vulpes lagopus 6.jpg

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The squatting defecation posture involves squatting by standing with the knees and hips sharply bent and the bare buttocks suspended near the ground. Squat toilets are designed to facilitate this posture and are common in various parts of the world.

When not urinating into a toilet, squatting is the easiest way for a female to direct the urine stream. If done this way, the urine will go forward. Some women use one or both hands to focus the direction of the urine stream, which is more easily achieved while in the squatting position.{{cite web|url=http://restrooms.org/standing.html |title=A Woman's Guide on How to Pee Standing |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030604104917/http://restrooms.org/standing.html |archive-date = 4 June 2003}} Squatting position helps to empty the bladder completely as the pelvic region is relaxed which is suitable for all genders

A partial squatting position (or "hovering") while urinating is often done to avoid sitting on a potentially contaminated toilet seat, but it may leave urine behind in the bladder{{cite web |url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-infection/treatment/ |title=Kidney infection – Treatment |date=4 January 2018 |website=nhs.uk |publisher=National Health Service |access-date=21 February 2019 |quote=If you have a kidney infection, try not to 'hover' over the toilet seat when you go to the loo because it can result in your bladder not being fully emptied.}} and it is not good for the pelvic floor muscles.{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/taylored-training-fitness-/pelvic-floor-dysfunction_b_11109494.html |title=5 Bathroom Mistakes That Can Lead To Pelvic Floor Dysfunction |date=21 July 2016 |publisher=HuffPost Canadian version|access-date=21 February 2019 |quote=Hovering Over The Toilet}}

Canids often urinate in a squatting position, but usually raise their legs while scent marking.{{cite book|author1=L. David Mech|author2=Luigi Boitani|title=Wolves: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_mXHuSSbiGgC|date=1 October 2010|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-51698-1}}

File:22.7.16_Eurogym_3_136_(28204709000).jpgs tend to flex the forefoot when kneeling or squatting, East Asians are more likely to keep the foot flat on the ground.]]

In East Asian cultures such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese, postures with high flexion including kneeling and squatting are used more often in daily activities, while in North America, people kneel or squat less frequently in daily activities, unless for occupational, religious, or leisure practices. The favored style of those high flexion postures also differs among ethnic groups. While Caucasians tend to flex the forefoot when kneeling or squatting, East Asians are more likely to keep the foot flat on the ground.Chong, H. (2016). [https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/10172/Chong_Helen.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1 “Do East Asians Achieve Greater Knee Flexion than Caucasian North Americans, and are East Asian Kneeling and Squatting Styles Kinetically Different from North American Norms?”]{{Cite journal |last1=Han |first1=Shuyang |last2=Cheng |first2=Gang |last3=Xu |first3=Peng |date=2015-01-01 |title=Three-dimensional lower extremity kinematics of Chinese during activities of daily living |url=https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-back-and-musculoskeletal-rehabilitation/bmr00523 |journal=Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation |language=en |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=327–334 |doi=10.3233/BMR-140523 |issn=1053-8127 |pmid=25096318|url-access=subscription }}

In the two common styles of kneeling, the plantarflexed kneel and the dorsiflexed kneel, the lead leg may experience higher adduction and flexion moment, which is associated with increased knee joint loads.{{Cite journal |last=Jensen |first=L. K. |date=2008-02-01 |title=Knee osteoarthritis: influence of work involving heavy lifting, kneeling, climbing stairs or ladders, or kneeling/squatting combined with heavy lifting |url=https://oem.bmj.com/content/65/2/72 |journal=Occupational and Environmental Medicine |language=en |volume=65 |issue=2 |pages=72–89 |doi=10.1136/oem.2007.032466 |issn=1351-0711 |pmid=17634247 |s2cid=8867823|url-access=subscription }}

There is increased incidence of knee osteoarthritis among squatters who squat for hours a day for many years.{{cite journal | last1 = Liu | first1 = CM | last2 = Xu | first2 = L | title = [Retrospective study of squatting with prevalence of knee osteoarthritis] | language = Chinese | journal = Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi | volume = 28 | issue = 2 | pages = 177–9 | date = February 2007 | pmid = 17649692 }} There is evidence that sustained squatting may cause bilateral peroneal nerve palsy. A common name for this affliction is squatter's palsy although there may be reasons other than squatting for this to occur.{{cite journal | last1 = Macpherson | first1 = J M | last2 = Gordon | first2 = A J | title = Squatter's palsy. | journal = BMJ | volume = 287 | issue = 6390 | date = 1983-08-13 | issn = 0959-8138 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.287.6390.496-a | pages = 496| pmid = 6411186 | pmc = 1548703 }}{{cite journal | last1 = Kumaki | first1 = DJ | title = The facts of Kathmandu: squatter's palsy | journal = JAMA | volume = 257 | issue = 1 | pages = 28 | date = January 1987 | doi = 10.1001/jama.1987.03390010032017 | pmid = 3783899 }}{{Cite journal | last1 = Toğrol | first1 = E. | year = 2000 | title = Bilateral peroneal nerve palsy induced by prolonged squatting | journal = Military Medicine | volume = 165 | issue = 3 | pages = 240–2 | doi = 10.1093/milmed/165.3.240 | pmid = 10741091 }} For societies who rarely squat, squatting as a different posture may bring health benefits.{{cite news |last1=Spinks |first1=Rosie |date=9 November 2017 |title=The forgotten art of squatting is a revelation for bodies ruined by sitting |pages=1 |work=Quartz (publication) |url=https://quartzy.qz.com/1121077/to-solve-problems-caused-by-sitting-learn-to-squat/ |access-date=14 November 2017}}

Toddlers and older children with the congenital heart disease tetralogy of Fallot will often instinctively squat during a "tet spell" (an episode involving a sudden development of blue skin, caused by a drop of oxygen in the blood), allowing more blood to flow to the lungs.{{Cite web |title=Tetralogy of Fallot - Symptoms and causes |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tetralogy-of-fallot/symptoms-causes/syc-20353477 |access-date=2021-08-21 |website=Mayo Clinic |language=en}} Squatting increases systemic vascular resistance and allows for a temporary reversal of the shunt. It increases pressure on the left side of the heart, decreasing the right to left shunt thus decreasing the amount of deoxygenated blood entering the systemic circulation.{{Cite journal |author=Murakami T |year=2002 |title=Squatting: the hemodynamic change is induced by enhanced aortic wave reflection |journal=Am. J. Hypertens. |volume=15 |issue=11 |pages=986–88 |doi=10.1016/S0895-7061(02)03085-6 |pmid=12441219 |doi-access=free}}{{cite journal | last1=Guntheroth | first1=Warren G. | last2=Mortan | first2=Beverly C. | last3=Mullins | first3=Gay L. | last4=Baum | first4=David | title=Venous return with knee-chest position and squatting in tetralogy of Fallot | journal=American Heart Journal | publisher=Elsevier BV | volume=75 | issue=3 | year=1968 | issn=0002-8703 | doi=10.1016/0002-8703(68)90087-2 | pages=313–318| pmid=5638470 }}

The existence of squatting facets on the distal tibia and talar articular surfaces of skeletons, which result from contact between the two bones during hyperdorsiflexion, have been used as markers to indicate if that person habitually squatted.{{cite journal | last1 = BARNETT | first1 = CH | title = Squatting facets on the European talus | journal = J Anat | volume = 88 | issue = 4 | pages = 509–13 | date = October 1954 | pmid = 13211471 | pmc = 1244661 }}{{cite journal | last = Trinkaus | first = Erik | title = Squatting among the neandertals: A problem in the behavioral interpretation of skeletal morphology | journal = Journal of Archaeological Science | publisher = Elsevier BV | volume = 2 | issue = 4 | year = 1975 | issn = 0305-4403 | doi = 10.1016/0305-4403(75)90005-9 | pages = 327–351| bibcode = 1975JArSc...2..327T }}

{{Main|Childbirth positions}}

Various people have promoted the adoption of these alternative birthing positions, particularly squatting, for Western countries, such as Grantly Dick-Read, Janet Balaskas, Moysés Paciornik and Hugo Sabatino. The adoption of these alternative positions is also promoted by the natural childbirth movement.

The squatting position gives a greater increase of pressure in the pelvic cavity with minimal muscular effort. The birth canal will open 20 to 30% more in a squat than in any other position. It is recommended for the second stage of childbirth.{{cite journal |last=Russell |first=JG |year=1969 |title=Moulding of the pelvic outlet |journal=J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw |volume=76 |issue=9 |pages=817–20 |doi=10.1111/j.1471-0528.1969.tb06185.x |pmid=5823681 |s2cid=354336}}

In ancient Egypt, women delivered babies while squatting on a pair of bricks, known as birth bricks.{{cite book |author=Wilkinson, Richard H. |url=https://archive.org/details/completegodsgodd00wilk_0 |title=The complete gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt |publisher=Thames & Hudson |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-500-05120-7 |location=London |pages=[https://archive.org/details/completegodsgodd00wilk_0/page/152 152–53] |url-access=registration}}

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{{Main|Woman on top}}

There are versions of the "cowgirl" sex position where a woman is squatting over a man, who is lying on his back, instead of kneeling over him. These are referred to by different names such as Asian cowgirl, frog squat position, and froggystyle.{{cite web | title = Sexual Positions | url = http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/sexual-positions-dictionary2.htm | publisher = HowStuffWorks | accessdate = 2010-10-22 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20101223061626/http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/sexual-positions-dictionary2.htm | archivedate = 2010-12-23 | url-status = dead }} The woman can face forwards{{cite web | title=Squatting Cowgirl Sex Position | website=SexInfo101 | url=https://sexinfo101.com/positions/cowgirl/squatting-cowgirl | access-date=2024-10-31 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20230529222129/https://sexinfo101.com/positions/cowgirl/squatting-cowgirl | archivedate = 2023-05-29 | url-status = live}} or backwards (reverse).{{cite web | title=Squatting Rodeo Sex Position | website=SexInfo101 | url=https://sexinfo101.com/positions/rodeo/squatting-rodeo | access-date=2024-10-31 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20240525010759/https://sexinfo101.com/positions/rodeo/squatting-rodeo | archivedate = 2024-05-25 | url-status = live}}

{{Portal|Medicine}}

{{div col|colwidth=50em}}

• {{annotated link|Denis Parsons Burkitt}}
• {{annotated link|Di nixi}}
• Gopnik – A practitioner of a learned behavior attributed to Russian prison culture to avoid sitting on the cold ground
• Ilium – Also known as the Haunch bone
• {{annotated link|List of human positions}}
• {{annotated link|Hunky punk}}
• {{annotated link|Lajja Gauri}}
• {{annotated link|Messenger (sculpture in Plymouth)}}
• {{annotated link|Neutral spine}}

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite news |last1=Zhang |first1=Sarah |title=Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/03/can-you-do-the-asian-squat/555716/ |work=The Atlantic |date=March 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180316211311/https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/03/can-you-do-the-asian-squat/555716/ |archive-date=March 16, 2018}}

{{Commons category multi|Crouching|Partial squats}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Squatting Position}}

Category:Human positions