Hot Topic: W-Sitting

Hot Topic: W-Sitting

What is it?

W-sitting is a position that is becoming more commonly used by children when seated on the ground. In this position, a child sits on their bottom, with knees bent, feet tucked under and behind, and legs out to each side representing the letter “W.”

Why kids sit in a W-sit?

W-sitting offers support to child with decreased postural control and stability, decreased external rotation, and decreased range of motion in hamstrings. Overall, it widens the child’s base of support.

Why is it bad?

W-sitting can cause orthopedic issues, delayed development of postural control and stability, and delayed development of overall higher level motor skills.

W-sitting can put stress on the hip abductors, hamstrings, internal rotators and heel cords, leading to the possibility of orthopedic issues. W-sitting can cause major muscle groups to be at a shortened position, resulting in muscles that begin to tighten. This can affect coordination, balance, and development of motor skills. W-sitting can also put stress on the femurs (thigh bone) causing atypical development of the bones to occur as the child grows.

Because w-sitting widens a child’s base of support, there is a decreased need for weight shift and postural control as he is playing, moving, and reaching. In addition to decreased trunk control, w-sitting requires less trunk rotation. Trunk rotation is extremely important in developing volitional crossing midline and separation of the two sides of the body needed for bilateral coordination. Good trunk control, stability, rotation, crossing midline, and overall bilateral coordination are important in developing higher level motor skills and hand dominance.