ANALYTICAL ENGLISH 解析英語(常春藤)

Why do people sit with their legs crossed? For many, crossing one leg over the other at the knee is comfortable and habitual. Over the years, people have wondered whether the position is bad for their health. Some believe it may __1__ high blood pressure or circulation problems. Others are concerned that it may affect posture, particularly in the spine and pelvis.

Research suggests that although blood pressure may rise slightly when the legs are crossed, it returns to __2__ soon after the position is changed. Crossing the legs tightly may temporarily reduce blood flow in the raised leg, but the effect is __3__. If you sit too long with your legs crossed, your lower leg or foot may go numb. However, this can be avoided by __4__ your seating position regularly.

Another common belief is that crossing your legs can lead to varicose veins, which are swollen veins that appear blue or dark purple. However, this posture is not considered a major cause. Lifestyle factors, such as __5__ sitting or standing, lack of exercise, and conditions like obesity, play a more critical role. Research also suggests that genetics can increase the risk of __6__ varicose veins.

Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock

Unlike its effects on blood pressure or varicose veins, the __7__ on posture, especially in the spinal and pelvic regions, is more complex. While crossing one’s legs at the knee can __8__ muscles around the hips, sitting this way for long periods may cause the pelvis to rotate or tilt. This may result in lower back discomfort and even spinal misalignment. Furthermore, people who remain cross-legged for long durations may be more likely to __9__ forward or slouch while sitting.

Overall, sitting cross-legged is unlikely to pose serious health risks. Instead, its effects are more closely __10__ posture and body alignment. For most people, it is a generally harmless habit—as long as they switch sides regularly and avoid staying in one position for too long.

為什麼人們坐著時會蹺二郎腿？對許多人來說，翹二郎腿是一種舒適且習慣性的動作。多年來，人們一直在思考這種姿勢是否對健康有害。有些人認為，這可能會導致高血壓或循環問題。另一些人則擔心這可能會影響姿勢，尤其是脊椎與骨盆部分。

Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock

研究顯示，雖然蹺二郎腿時血壓可能會略微上升，但在改變姿勢後很快就會恢復正常。將雙腿緊緊交叉可能會暫時減少抬起的那條腿的血流，但影響極小。如果你蹺二郎腿坐太久，你的小腿或腳可能會發麻。然而，這可以藉由經常調整坐姿來避免。

另一個常見的看法是，蹺二郎腿可能會導致靜脈曲張，也就是呈現藍色或深紫色的腫脹靜脈。然而，這種姿勢並不被認為是主要原因。生活型態因素，如長時間坐著或站著、缺乏運動，以及肥胖等疾病，扮演更關鍵的角色。研究也指出，遺傳可能會增加罹患靜脈曲張的風險。

與其對血壓或靜脈曲張的影響不同，對姿勢的影響（尤其是在脊椎與骨盆區域）更為複雜。雖然蹺二郎腿可以伸展髖部周圍的肌肉，但長時間這樣坐著可能會導致骨盆旋轉或傾斜。這可能會造成下背不適，甚至導致脊椎錯位。此外，長時間維持蹺二郎腿姿勢的人，在坐著時也更可能會向前傾或駝背。

整體而言，蹺二郎腿坐著不太可能會造成嚴重的健康風險。其影響反而與姿勢和身體排列更緊密相關。對大多數人來說，這通常是一個無害的習慣──只要記得經常換邊，並避免維持同一個姿勢太久。

What Did You Learn?

(A) impact

(B) lean

(C) adjusting

(D) stretch

(E) prolonged

(F) minimal

(G) related to

(H) normal

(I) developing

(J) contribute to

答案：

1. J

2. H

3. F

4. C

5. E

6. I

7. A

8. D

9. B

10. G

Words in Use

1. habitual a. 習慣（性）的

Habitual overeating may lead to long-term health problems.

習慣性暴飲暴食可能會導致長期健康問題。

2. circulation n. （血液）循環

Regular exercise improves circulation and keeps the body healthy.

規律運動能促進血液循環、維持身體健康。

3. slightly adv. 略微，稍微

The temperature dropped slightly after sunset.

日落後，氣溫稍微下降了。

4. temporarily adv. 暫時地

The employee was temporarily assigned to another department.

這位員工被暫時調到另一個部門。

5. swollen a. （身體部位）腫脹的∕腫起的

David couldn’t walk properly because of his swollen knee.

大衛因為膝蓋腫脹而無法正常走路。

Practical Phrases

1. go numb 發麻

numb a.（身體部位）發麻的∕失去感覺的

My feet started to go numb after sitting on the floor for too long.

坐在地板上太久後，我的腳開始發麻。

2. be likely to V 可能會……

be unlikely to V 不可能會……

This machine is likely to break down if it is not maintained regularly.

這臺機器如果沒有定期維護，很可能會故障。

This plan is unlikely to succeed without careful preparation.

這個計畫若沒有周全準備，不太可能會成功。

3. pose a risk 造成風險

pose vt. 造成（威脅、問題等）

Driving while tired poses a serious risk to others on the road.