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{{short description|Resting posture where the weight of the body is on the feet but the knees and hips are bent}}
{{Other uses|Squat (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|Haunch|a part of an arch|Haunch (arch)}}
[[File:Two_squatting_little_girls_Vietnam.jpg|thumb|[[Vietnam]]ese children squatting]]'''Squatting''' is a versatile [[List of human positions|posture]] where the weight of the body is on the feet but the knees and hips are bent. In contrast, sitting involves
[[File:Old Havasupai Indian man crouching on the ground, putting something in his mouth, ca.1900 (CHS-3392).jpg|thumb|A [[Havasupai]] man crouching]]'''Crouching''' is usually considered to be synonymous with squatting. It is common to squat with one leg and kneel with the other leg.<ref name=Hewes>{{cite journal |jstor=666393 |last=Hewes |first=GW |title=World distribution of certain postural habits |journal=American Anthropologist |volume=57 |issue=2 |date=April 1955 |pages=231–44|doi=10.1525/aa.1955.57.2.02a00040|doi-access=free }}</ref> One or both heels may be up when squatting. Young children often instinctively squat. Among Chinese, Southeast Asian and Eastern European adults, squatting often takes the place of sitting or standing.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/travel/17bpchina.html?ex=1176609600&en=1e3994b4f388c344&ei=5070 | work=The New York Times | title=An Eye on China's Not So Rich and Famous | first=Judith H. | last=Dobrzynski | date=2004-10-17 | access-date=2010-04-07}}</ref>▼
▲'''Squatting''' is a versatile [[List of human positions|posture]] where the weight of the body is on the feet but the knees and hips are bent. In contrast, sitting involves taking the weight of the body, at least in part, on the buttocks against the ground or a horizontal object. The angle between the legs when squatting can vary from zero to widely splayed out, flexibility permitting. Another variable may be the degree of forward tilt of the upper body from the hips. Squatting may be either full or partial.
▲'''Crouching''' is usually considered to be synonymous with squatting. It is common to squat with one leg and kneel with the other leg.<ref name=Hewes>{{cite journal |jstor=666393 |last=Hewes |first=GW |title=World distribution of certain postural habits |journal=American Anthropologist |volume=57 |issue=2 |date=April 1955 |pages=231–44|doi=10.1525/aa.1955.57.2.02a00040|doi-access=free }}</ref> One or both heels may be up when squatting. Young children often instinctively squat. Among Chinese, Southeast Asian and Eastern European adults, squatting often takes the place of sitting or standing.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/travel/17bpchina.html?ex=1176609600&en=1e3994b4f388c344&ei=5070 | work=The New York Times | title=An Eye on China's Not So Rich and Famous | first=Judith H. | last=Dobrzynski | date=2004-10-17 | access-date=2010-04-07}}</ref>
== Etymology ==
Squatting comes from the Old French ''esquatir
== Resting position ==
[[File:
Most Western adults cannot place their heels flat on the ground when squatting because of shortened [[Achilles tendon]]s maybe caused by habit:<ref>Kasuyama, Tatsuya, Masaaki Sakamoto, and Rie Nakazawa. "Ankle Joint Dorsiflexion Measurement Using the Deep Squatting Posture." ''Journal of Physical Therapy Science'' 21.2 (2009): 195–99.</ref><ref>Krause DA, Cloud BA, Forster LA, Schrank JA, Hollman JH. "Measurement of ankle dorsiflexion: a comparison of active and passive techniques in multiple positions". ''Journal of Sport Rehabilitation'' 2011 Aug; 20(3): 333–44.</ref><ref>Ausinheiler, B. (2012, November 27). The #1 reason why people find deep squatting difficult . Posturemovementpain.com
* sitting on chairs or seats
* wearing [[shoes]] with heels (especially [[High-heeled footwear|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.<ref>[[Marcel Mauss|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.
[[Desmond Morris]] distinguished seven variant forms of squat as: Squat-kneel; Flat-footed Squat (the Asian squat,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wang |first=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}}</ref> or Slav squat); Tiptoe Squat (the Western squat,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wang |first=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}}</ref> or heels-raised squat<ref name=":1" />); Squat-sit; Legs-fold; [[Lotus position]]; and Legs Side-curl.<ref>D Morris, ''Manwatching'' (London 1987) p. 312-3</ref>
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.<ref>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.</ref><ref>{{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_us/article/645gbr/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 (magazine)|Vice]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cabatingan
{{clear}}▼
==
[[File:Marine_Corps_officer_candidate_participate_in_physical_training.jpg|thumb|A [[U.S. Marine Corps]] officer candidate squatting as an exercise.]]▼
=== Strength training ===
▲[[File:Marine_Corps_officer_candidate_participate_in_physical_training.jpg|thumb|A [[U.S. Marine Corps]] officer candidate squatting as an exercise
In strength training, the [[Squat (exercise)|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.
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The [[Burpee (exercise)|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".
=== Mālāsana or upavesasana in yoga ===▼
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.<ref name="Yang Chengfu 1931">Yang Chengfu (1931), Taijiquan Shiyongfa (Application methods of Taijiquan)</ref><ref name="Yang Chenfu 1934">Yang Chengfu (1934), Taijiquan Tiyong Quanshu (Complete Book of the Essence and Applications of Taijiquan)</ref><ref name="Yang Chengfu (Louis Swaim translation) 2005">Yang Chengfu and Louis Swaim, tr. (2005). The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan. North Atlantic Books. {{ISBN|978-1-55643-545-4}}.</ref>▼
[[File:Upaveśāsana.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Mālāsana]] [[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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
The
== Childbirth position ==▼
{{Main|Childbirth positions}}▼
=== Tai Chi ===
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.▼
▲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.<ref name="Yang Chengfu 1931">Yang Chengfu (1931), Taijiquan Shiyongfa (Application methods of Taijiquan)</ref><ref name="Yang Chenfu 1934">Yang Chengfu (1934), Taijiquan Tiyong Quanshu (Complete Book of the Essence and Applications of Taijiquan)</ref><ref name="Yang Chengfu (Louis Swaim translation) 2005">Yang Chengfu and Louis Swaim, tr. (2005). The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan. North Atlantic Books. {{ISBN|978-1-55643-545-4}}.</ref>
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 labor|second stage of childbirth]].<ref name=Russell>{{cite journal|last=Russell |first=JG|title=Moulding of the pelvic outlet |journal=J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw |year=1969 |volume=76 |pages=817–20}}</ref>▼
In [[ancient Egypt]], women delivered babies while squatting on a pair of [[brick]]s, known as ''birth bricks''.<ref name="Wilkinson">{{cite book |author=Wilkinson, Richard H. |title=The complete gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt |url=https://archive.org/details/completegodsgodd00wilk_0 |url-access=registration |publisher=Thames & Hudson |location=London |year=2003 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/completegodsgodd00wilk_0/page/152 152–53] |isbn=978-0-500-05120-7 }}</ref>▼
== Sexual position ==▼
{{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''.<ref name="discovery">[http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/sexual-positions-dictionary2.htm "Discovery Health Sexual Positions"]. ''healthguide.howstuffworks.com''. Retrieved 22 October 2010.</ref> The woman can face forwards<ref>[http://www.sexinfo101.com/sp_asiancowgirl.shtml Asian Cowgirl Sex Position] Sexinfo101.com</ref> or backwards (reverse).<ref>[http://www.sexinfo101.com/reverseasiancowgirl.shtml Reverse Asian Cowgirl Sex Position] Sexinfo101.com</ref>▼
== Urinating and defecating==
{{multiple image
| footer = [[Wolves]] and [[fox]]es urinate in a squatting position.<ref name="MechBoitani2010"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Elbroch |first=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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
| total_width = 220
| perrow = 2
| 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
| image4 = Young Fox (16605353545).jpg
}}
The [[squatting defecation posture]] involves squatting by standing with the knees and hips sharply bent and the bare buttocks suspended near the ground. [[Squat toilet]]s are designed to facilitate this posture and are common in various parts of the world.
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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.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{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}}</ref>
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]]<ref name="urination1">{{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.}}</ref> and it is not good for the [[pelvic floor]].<ref name="urination2">{{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}}</ref>
[[Canid|Canids]] often urinate in a squatting position, but usually raise their legs while [[scent marking]].<ref name="MechBoitani2010">{{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}}</ref>
▲== Mālāsana or upavesasana in yoga ==
▲[[File:Upaveśāsana.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Mālāsana]] [[yoga]] pose]]
== Health ==▼
[[File:22.7.16_Eurogym_3_136_(28204709000).jpg|thumb|This European woman's heel lifts off the ground when she is squatting. While Caucasians tend to flex the forefoot when kneeling or squatting, East Asians are more likely to keep the foot flat on the ground.<ref name=":1" />]]
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,<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":1">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?”]</ref>
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
▲The asana 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]].<ref name=yj1>{{cite web|title=Garland Pose|publisher=Yoga Journal|url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2472|access-date=2009-06-12}}</ref>
▲== Health ==
===Risk of osteoarthritis===
There is increased incidence of knee [[osteoarthritis]] among squatters who squat for hours a day for many years.<ref>Liu CM, Xu L (2007). "Retrospective study of squatting with prevalence of knee osteoarthritis"{{Incomplete short citation|date=September 2020}}</ref> There is evidence that sustained squatting may cause bilateral [[peroneal nerve]] [[palsy]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} A common name for this affliction is ''squatter's palsy'' although there may be reasons other than squatting for this to occur.<ref>Macpherson JM, Gordon AJ (1983). "Squatter's palsy" ''British Medical Journal''</ref><ref>Kumaki DJ. "The facts of Kathmandu: squatter's palsy". ''[[Journal of the American Medical Association]]'' 2 January 1987; 257(1): 28.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
=== In patients with tetralogy of Fallot ===
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Squatting increases [[systemic vascular resistance]] and allows for a temporary reversal of the [[Cardiac shunt|shunt]]. It increases pressure on the left side of the heart, decreasing the [[Right-to-left shunt|right to left shunt]] thus decreasing the amount of deoxygenated blood entering the systemic circulation.<ref>{{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
=== Squatting facets ===
The existence of squatting facets on the [[distal]] [[tibia]] and [[talus bone|talar]] articular surfaces of skeletons, which result from contact between the two bones during [[Anatomical terms of motion#Special motion|hyperdorsiflexion]], have been used as markers to indicate if that person habitually squatted.<ref>Barnett CH "Squatting facets on the European talus" ''J Anat.'' 1954 October; 88 (Pt 4): 509–13.</ref><ref>[[Erik Trinkaus|Trinkaus E]] "Squatting among the neandertals: A problem in the behavioral interpretation of skeletal morphology" ''Journal of Archaeological Science'' Volume 2, Issue 4, December 1975, pp. 327–51</ref>
▲== Childbirth position ==
▲{{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 labor|second stage of childbirth]].<ref name="Russell">{{cite journal |last=Russell |first=JG |year=1969 |title=Moulding of the pelvic outlet |journal=J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw |
▲In [[ancient Egypt]], women delivered babies while squatting on a pair of [[brick]]s, known as ''birth bricks''.<ref name="Wilkinson">{{cite book |author=Wilkinson, Richard H. |url=https://archive.org/details/completegodsgodd00wilk_0 |title=The complete gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt
▲{{clear}}
▲== Sexual position ==
▲{{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''.<ref name="discovery">[http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/sexual-positions-dictionary2.htm "Discovery Health Sexual Positions"]. ''healthguide.howstuffworks.com''. Retrieved 22 October 2010.</ref> The woman can face forwards<ref>[http://www.sexinfo101.com/sp_asiancowgirl.shtml Asian Cowgirl Sex Position] Sexinfo101.com</ref> or backwards (reverse).<ref>[http://www.sexinfo101.com/reverseasiancowgirl.shtml Reverse Asian Cowgirl Sex Position] Sexinfo101.com</ref>
== See also ==
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{{Reflist}}
==Further reading==
== External links ==▼
* {{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}}
▲== External links ==
{{Commons category multi|Crouching|Partial squats}}
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