Sports & Fitness Can you comfortably sit in a squat position?

Just a video I watched claimed Asians can sit (rest) in a squat position comfortably and non Asians generally can't?! I want to understand if that's true or not.

As a definition, let's say if you can happily be in that position for at least 3 minutes as the guide for sitting/relaxing comfortably in that position, then it counts as being comfortable.

By "squat position", I mean knees are fully bent, with feet flat on the ground.

For me, I could be in this position for a long time, no issues.

 

You have a low centre of gravity....

 

And happily though; I'm not short!
Not exactly tall either... just right. .

 

I can squat down for a few minutes but not put my heals flat. DH is part Chinese and can squat with his heals flat... DH is tall too, just a whisker under 6ft (I'm 5ft7)

 

Depends on what is meant by 'squat' in this poll:

Is it holding your thighs at 90 degrees to your calves by tensing your thighs and glutes - like at the gym?

Or is it lowering right down - like squatting over an Asian traditional toilet, - which for those who don't know, is the same position as pooing behind a bush on a trek? (In this position your bum is very close to the ground.)

Assuming it is the latter, I regularly see non Asians do this in various classes at the gym.

And when I lived in Asia, my non Asian friends and myself had no problems using squat toilets! Myth busted!

 

The older generation Asians have had a lot of practice as their toilets were a hole in the ground.
Some still **** using the same method on a modern day toilet by standing on the seat and squatting down.

 

Second option. All the way down. It seems some people have trouble doing that. The poll results to date seem to support/not rule out the hypothesis... only 10 responses currently though, would like more responses.

 

Were? Are!

Until China does away with squat toilets I will refuse to accept them as a super power.

 

Hmmm, I'm not sure 'support the hypothesis' can be used here as the poll isn't at all rigorous!

I acknowledge it's just a bit of fun, but: the respondents are not randomly selected from the general population and weighted for the general population's demographic characteristics.

Also, height, age, occupation, leg/torso ratio, time spent on forums, sex etc. are not asked, so we don't have any way of knowing how those are related.

Also, what about Africans etc who aren't Asian, but may be able to squat for ages...

 

I can't squat for peanuts. Too many hamstring injuries.

Used to be able when younger, like squatting behind bushes to avoid the cops.

I used to love watching the locals in Cabramatta squat down like sparrows on small brick fences. Working the paddy fields from a young age must have given them that flexibility.

 

Feet together or apart

 

Can squat, not Asian.

Have also squatted with a 140kg bar on my back.

 

@D.T.
Pics of you squatting pls

 

This is the Asian squat (lower centre of gravity)


This is the non Asian squat

 

One of the Asian men doesn't have his feet flat on the ground - so he clearly can't do the Asian squat!

 

May be related to BMI, weight, body frame size/type.

Gravity sux.

Aussie squat

 

I'm biologically half Asian, so can't answer the poll, but can do hams to calves with flat feet easy all day.

The Asian dude in the pic above who can't do it may have tight Achilles.

 

Maybe a massage with essential oils will help?

 

Or he could wear his wife's high heel shoes

 

Can you please give me an example of an Italian squat, I am feeling a little insecure this morning