Can your legs ache from sitting too much?

Are you currently experiencing aches in our tired, lifeless, over-sat, under-exercised thighs and calves? Do you casually sit in front of the computer with no regard for how long it’s been since you stood up? Have your quads lost their springing spirit, suave saunters nonexistent, and movements on par-chute to the ground like a sack of rocks?

Well buckle up because we’re about to delve deep into whether sitting can cause leg pain that’ll make us throw away those heels we’ve been dying to wear out again.

What does science say about leg pain from sitting excessively?

The scientific community has come together and used all their brain cells (or most of them) to figure this one out. The answer is… drumroll please…

Maybe!

Not what anyone wanted to hear but unfortunately it might be true. Research on this topic is still being conducted but there seems some signs that suggest prolonged periods of sitting can indeed lead to leg pain.

One theory suggests when seated for an extended period; blood flow slows down resulting in swollen or painful ankles/legs known as peripheral edema. Some studies have shown increased swelling after just 8 hours while others disagree implying time might not be the only factor at play.

Another hypothesis posits excessive pressure builds around nerve clusters leading to discomfort or something called Meralgia Paresthetica – a fancy way of saying tingling sensation over ones’ outer thigh.

Whether its sluggish circulation or pinched nerves dishing out “ouchies,” neither concept feels pleasant!

Are there other factors besides lengthened postures that contribute towards sore legs?

Here’s some food for thought: It may seem obvious but weight plays a role – carrying extra pounds puts more pressure%$#%^#$%@#&^% [TABLE]:
| Weight(lbs) | Stress on Knees (psi) |
|————|———————–|
| 120 | 197 |
| 140 | 227 |
| 160 | 257 |
Hmmm, comparing our weight to a substance’s pressure. Is that what we’ve come to?

Carrying extra fat reserves can increase the risk of inflammation in joints leading over time to pain from occasional prolonged sitting.

If you haven’t moved those muscles in a while or experience weakness due to an injury/non-intentional event, then fatigue and additional tension can be brought on by as little effort as standing up from your couch.

How do you prevent leg pain caused by sitting?

The good news is there are numerous practical steps one may take to reduce discomfort/aches when seated for long periods.

Stand up

Let’s tell these limbs who is boss! Every thirty minutes stand-up and shake it out! This will promote healthy blood flow and decrease any swelling present!

Pro-tip:Challenge coworkers/friends/family members not only to motivate more frequent breaks but also compare how ridiculous everyone looks trying out different stretches – no harm in some fun competition right?

Stretching during seated sessions

Why wait until thirty minutes elapse when we can keep feeding our #fitspo egos all day? Performing simple chair yoga %&#%@#^&% [LIST]:
– Sitting hamstring stretch: extend legs placing heel on the ground with toes towards ceiling gently fold forward at hips till feeling stretch
– Chair pigeon pose: cross left ankle over right knee press shin into crease lift torso keeping back straight hold for multiple deep breaths before switching sides
– Seated wide-legged straddle: sit far back onto the chair place legs beyond hip-width apart flex your feet tuck hips under slowly hinge forward holding ankles calmly breathe deeply

Don’t let lack of gym membership stop you; simply hitting “crescent moon” before those weekly team meetings may leave muscles thanking you.

Strengthening exercises

Did anyone say leg-day? Not only will strengthening our lower body result in similar perks as stretching but%&%^#$ [LIST]:
– Wall Sit: Hold the position for 30secs -1minute
– Heel raises work both calves
– Chair squats/air squats(glute dominant) concentrate on your form and complete each squat slowly with feet shoulder-width apart

The best part is none of these require special equipment or a personal trainer; so no excuses (except my favorite, pizza binging).

Keep on Movin’

This tip may intrigue people at work next to us as well – if done correctly, desk-based cycling engages multiple areas from basic cardio exercise or muscle tension relief.
Pro-tip:keep shoes nicely tucked underneath desk for an easy switch between pedaling/sitting when phone calls come up.

Conclusion

Sitting uninterrupted for long periods can lead to sore legs however adopting simple habits such as taking breaks every thirty minutes %$#@! So this article was longer than most would like. The valuable information within is important. Stand & Stretch!