老年人抬头挺胸或预防腰酸背痛

Now here's some research I'm not sure I agree with. The latest studies suggest good posture won't actually protect against aches and pains.

最新的研究表明：良好的姿势实际上无助于预防疼痛。我并不确定这一研究结果是否正确。

What I've learned is that if I switch on my core muscles (pull your belly button in), my neck, back and head all fall comfortably into line and my spine feels comfortable and relaxed. My shoulders drop, my chin tucks in.

就我所知，如果我舒张核心肌肉（收腹）、抬头挺胸，坐得笔直，那我的脊椎就会非常舒适、放松。如果肩部下垂，我的下巴就会往后缩。

What seems to matter more, say the experts, is how long you stay in a single position. That's what will give you aches and pains - spending too long in the same position. In other words, to prevent back pain, keep moving. We're designed to keep moving.

专家表示，最为重要的是你能保持同一个姿势多长时间。这才是疼痛的原因所在--长时间保持同一个姿势。换言之，为了预防背痛，你需要不断走动。我们就是要走来走去。

But some experts say there may be some benefit from sitting up straighter as we get older. Philip Conaghan, professor of musculoskeletal medicine at Leeds University, says: "When you get older - especially in your 60s and beyond - your muscles are losing strength, so sitting up straight may help to work your spinal muscles."

但有些专家表示，老年人坐的笔直也能带来一些益处。利兹大学的肌肉骨骼医学教授菲利普·科纳汗（Philip Conaghan）说道："年老的时候--尤其是60岁往上--你的肌肉会变得没有力气，所以坐直了有助于锻炼脊椎肌肉。"

Even then, he says, it's general activity levels that are key, adding: "Keeping active will maintain your muscle strength - and that is most important for mobility and reducing aches and pains."

他说，即便如此，总体的活动水平才是关键，补充道："保持活动有助于保持肌肉力量--这是行动能力和减轻疼痛的关键。"

Interestingly, posture seems to have a bearing on mood. Dr Cosmo Hallstrom, a spokesman for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, says: "It's common for depressed patients to present with a "despondent" posture - they have stooped shoulders and their head down."

有趣的是，姿势似乎与情绪有关。英国皇家精神病学院的发言人科斯莫·霍尔斯特罗姆（Cosmo Hallstrom）医生说道："抑郁症患者呈现出'沮丧的'姿势是很正常的--弯腰低头。"

Research has shown that changing posture can make you feel better. A 2017 study found that when patients with depression were asked to change their posture, their mood improved. They asked 61 people with depression to give a speech, either sitting normally or pulling their shoulders back (which were then secured in place with tape). Scientists assessed the words they used and way they spoke.

研究表明：换个姿势会让你更舒服。2017年的一项研究发现，当抑郁症患者被要求换个姿势时，他们的心情会变得更好。研究员要求61位抑郁症患者发表演讲，可以像往常一样坐着讲，也可以坐直了讲（然后用胶带将其位置固定）。科学家评估了他们使用的语言，以及他们讲话的方式。

Those with "corrected" posture seemed less tired and more enthusiastic. They spoke more words, indicating that they felt more alert, and they used fewer singular personal pronouns such as "I", signalling that they had less self-focus. They displayed less anxiety too.

那些坐姿"正确"的患者似乎没那么疲倦，也更为热情。他们说的话也更多，表明他们的思维更敏捷。此外，他们使用单一人称代词，如"我"的次数也更少，表明他们对自我的关注有所减少。而且，他们也没有那么焦虑。