The Importance of Good Sitting Posture

As a person grows and develops they learn from and respond to information that is sent from various sources, including visual, vestibular (sensory) and proprioceptive (movement sensations from muscles and tendons) input.

Damage to any of these systems, through age, injury, illness or disease, can affect the ability to interact with the information; therefore, individuals will find it increasingly difficult to achieve a good sitting posture and will ultimately be at risk of reduced quality of life.

When identifying individuals who are at risk of difficulty achieving a good sitting posture it is essential to consider those who either lack the physical ability to change position, lack the cognitive awareness to know that they need to change position, or lack the communication skills to convey that they need to change position. These individuals will require specialist seating as part of their 24 hour postural management programme to achieve the desired sitting position.

Read more on how to achieve a good sitting posture and how specialist seating can help.

Good sitting posture is important for:

1. Comfort

Ensuring comfort, which includes pain management and energy conservation, is essential as it can ultimately improve quality of life. Proper positioning can promote comfort and decrease fatigue¹, which can increase the tolerance of a desired seating position essential for consistency and compliance. A good sitting posture can also be effective in both inhibiting abnormal muscle tone and in accommodating its sequelae², which can have a significant impact on reducing pain levels.

2. Function

A good sitting posture, especially one that promotes postural alignment and stability, is a critical requirement for movement and function. Use of the upper limbs is vital to the successful performance of tasks and participation in activities of daily living³. Freedom of movement in the upper limbs is achieved through effective stabilisation of the pelvis and trunk⁴, which can be achieved with correct positioning using appropriate seating systems. Proper positioning can also reduce the influence of abnormal tone and reflexes⁵,⁶, consequently encouraging normal movement.

3. Physiological function

A major goal in postural management is to enhance autonomic nervous system function⁷. A person’s inability to sit upright may result in increased dependence and decline in overall health over time, primarily reflecting altered physiological function⁸. Trunk asymmetry and poor head position can impair:

• Respiration
• Cardiac efficiency
• Swallow  function
• Digestion

An appropriate seating system can provide an optimum position for respiratory and circulatory function¹. An upright sitting position can also facilitate a normal swallowing pattern⁹ and improve components of eating and drinking behavior by maintaining good head alignment¹⁰.

4. Cognition and engagement

The introduction of postural management interventions at an appropriate time can facilitate psychosocial and cognitive development⁹. Individuals with cognitive problems benefit from postural interventions as they enhance communication and participation¹¹. An upright sitting position can offer a better line of vision for interaction, and provide an increased ability to achieve cognitive tasks⁹. Head control is essential for orientation and socialisation, and a stable posture can help an individual engage more fully in social activities at home, school or work, and as part of the community¹².

Each outcome, whether viewed collectively or individually, has the potential to significantly influence quality of life⁸.