Sitting for prolonged periods of time may be deadly — for your gluteus maximus, that is.
If you spend a lot of time every day sitting at your desk, you may be at risk of developing gluteal amnesia, also known as "Dormant Butt Syndrome" or "Dead Butt Syndrome." It occurs when the gluteal muscles become weak from disuse, which puts unnecessary strain on the other muscles in your legs and back. Eventually it can cause pain in the knees, back, and hips.
Medical ethicist Arthur Caplan told Boston Public Radio that the key to avoiding "Dead Butt Syndrome" is making sure you're taking regular breaks from sitting.
"We're not built to stand in one spot, and we're not built to sit in a chair all day. We're built to move around," Caplan said.
"I think that's what your joints and your muscles really want. I think that is a way to stay more alert and more attentive, if you're moving around," he added.
