Sitting

Sitting is one of the basic attitudes of the people. In this posture of the upper body is erect and the largest part of body weight rests on the buttocks or the angled thighs. Sitting on a seat furniture or a corresponding seating that allows a variable position of the lower leg and lean the upper body, is a very comfortable position because the muscles and joints that serve the upright posture of the body, are relieved and the body weight on a relatively large contact area is distributed. Babies learn sitting at the age of about five to nine months.

Social significance

In the social graces the right to sit because of its convenience is often treated as a privilege:

• In many situations it may seem polite to sit only on request and to offer a guest or a socially higher-ranking personality a seat
• The taking a seat in a restaurant is always associated with the obligation to place an order
• For events to be spent on the place cards, seating is more expensive than standing room.

Particular importance is attached to the seats in the symbolism of domination and Service: The Ruling sitting, while the one who serves is obliged to stand. The throne of the ruler is designed as a seat, usually increases, so that the ruler dominates the subordinates even in sitting position. Even linguistically "sitting" often expresses the holding of a position of power:

• The practice of the Court also referred to as " sit in judgment ".
• The leader and decision-makers in an organization or at any meeting the chairman is.
• The location of the company's management is also called corporate headquarters.
• A minister has a seat in the Cabinet, a deputy a seat in Parliament.
• The taking a seat in a church building.

Health effects

Average sits a person 9.3 hours and moves 6.5 hours a day. Sitting for long periods in static postures is very unhealthy, according to latest research results. The background is the immobility of the body muscles and the associated slowing of metabolism in various tissues throughout the body. A few easy full- body movement is directly independent of moderate to severe physical stress in conjunction with obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and mortality.

Normal developed human hip joints allow the femur only an inclination of about 60 degrees forward. The angle between the back and the thigh bone is approx 120 degrees. In a chair with the backrest, in which the seated person sits with an apparent right- angle of the hip joint, this angle can only be achieved in that the pelvis tilts approximately 30 degrees to the rear. The seat back forces the spine in an upright position, wherein the natural lumbar lordosis and kyphosis be straightened. Thus, the intervertebral discs are loaded unbalanced. According to studies, the angle of the hip joint in the seat should not be smaller than 135 degrees so as not to damage the disc. Today's standardization of office chairs requires an angle of 90 degrees in the hip of the occupant. Lie on the positive health effects of such a posture, however, no studies or research results.

There is also the standard for office chairs ( EN 1335 Parts 1-3) different office chairs that are healthier, according to the manufacturers and some physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons and other physicians. The saddle chair, fitness ball and kneeling chair are just some examples of supposedly healthier office chairs. The benefits could be demonstrated in some studies but not in others. However, in comparative studies of today's most popular posture is lacking. Active and so-called balanced seats is nowadays very recommended. This prevents pain in the lower back and seat disease.

Sitting in a figurative sense

In a figurative sense is sitting holding of a given position and the perfect adaptation to it. A garment or a workpiece, the " sitting ", has the perfect fit. "Sitting" can also be an effective hit, which attained its goal in a physical or verbal slugfest.

Often pressed to "sit" with the insistence also in a position that can not be abandoned, so in case of excessive, and often involuntary adaptation. This includes seizing, such as a vehicle or a screw, the incarcerated in prison, the seat stay in school and sitting out a problem.

Grammar

The perfect tense of the verb to sit is sat and will be in German, both with and with have formed.

In southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland do you say " I am sitting " while in Northern Germany " I was sitting " is more common. The Duden recognizes both forms to be correct.