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Your seating posture might be holding you back

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Total Posts
39
Gretsch
28 posts
Joined April 2011
Topic Starter
Gretsch
This might not be news to everyone, but for people who have concerns about not streaming fast enough, cramping quickly, arm pain, wrist pain, etc. it is probably related to poor posture at the computer.

Edit: EcksDee makes a good point here about spine angle.

EcksDee wrote:

So what do you think of this article

"Measurements of spinal angles, spinal disk height, and movements were taken. When undue strain is placed on a disk, it moves - often out of place. The researchers found that the upright position, at 90 degrees, caused disks to move the most, while the relaxed position (135 degrees) caused disks to move the least. In other words, the upright position is the worst for the back, while the relaxed position is the best."

Plus I mean it's undoubtedly more comfortable sitting and playing while reclining a bit IMO. Comfort should be what you strive for.

Also if you don't like news sites then this
I looked up a couple more pictures for relaxed spine angle stuff.







Take a look at your posture from the side by taking a picture or maybe you have a mirror nearby. Compare it to the picture above, or look up photos of piano posture. If your angles are off you will have to compensate in other areas whether it's raising/lowering your wrists, arching your back, slouching, raising arms, etc. You might not even know you're doing it because you're so used to it.

Make any corrections you need to and play a few songs to try it out. Personally I noticed I was sitting too low because my chair wouldn't raise up high enough. I ended up getting my seat from my drumset and after getting the height right I feel a lot more comfortable while I play. I'm not saying you will be able to magically increase your streaming speeds by 100 bpm by having better posture, but there is no reason to play in an uncomfortable position.

One other thing:

If you have armrests on your chair this will cause your shoulders to raise up and put your arm and wrist in a bad position. This actually puts more strain on your wrists and arm when you are doing something like osu. Imagine sitting at a piano bench with armrests. Doesn't make sense right?

If you guys have other tips or things that have worked for you please share!
Last edited by Gretsch , edited 1 time in total.
Almost
2,154 posts
Joined May 2012
Almost
I find using my armrest actually improve my stamina. When my arm is in the air, I tend to tense it more.
Pizzicato
2,739 posts
Joined February 2011
Pizzicato
im hunchbacked since i was a child and i cant fix my spine anymore
but it didnt bother me one bit when playing osu!
nyrox
76 posts
Joined July 2013
nyrox
I used to set my seat as low as I could and keyboard in my lap (keyboard was too big for desk), but now I can put my keyboard on my desk and rose my chair with it. I raise my chair so the arm rests are lined up with the desk, the only thing I'm really missing from the image is the level monitor, mine is a bit low, but it's good enough.
strikeR
57 posts
Joined January 2013
strikeR
thanks for the info!
RaneFire
1,181 posts
Joined May 2011
RaneFire
I stream faster when I'm sitting on my feet in my chair. But my feet hurt after 5 mins ... Indicates my chair is too low / desk too high.
Known about this for a while... still need to fix, I'll get around to it someday :P
CPLs
351 posts
Joined April 2012
CPLs
looks like I'll need to adjust my shoulder, since it never got to 90degress everytime I play
Gretsch
28 posts
Joined April 2011
Topic Starter
Gretsch
Thanks for the feedback, everyone

@Ranefire: you must be flexible lol
iWhorse
299 posts
Joined December 2012
iWhorse
On my old 1440x900 monitor I couldn't even see well if I sat like this. Probably'd keep my eyesight over 5bpm on streams and hunchback.


Also, Osu isn't piano. Doesn't seem like she has correct posture according to the picture (no 90degree angled arms) > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ-XE90WHLs
Last edited by iWhorse , edited 1 time in total.
Marqueur
15 posts
Joined August 2013
Marqueur
I should buy a real office chair.
usa
193 posts
Joined September 2012
usa
according to this picture, i need to buy a lower desk
buny
3,435 posts
Joined March 2012
buny
i need a new desk
iWhorse
299 posts
Joined December 2012
iWhorse

usa wrote:

according to this picture, i need to buy a lower desk
Also, most people don't own a monitor that had a giraffe as a mother
seriously wtf of a kind of monitor is that
Mathsma
473 posts
Joined March 2013
Mathsma

iWhorse wrote:

usa wrote:

according to this picture, i need to buy a lower desk
Also, most people don't own a monitor that had a giraffe as a mother
seriously wtf of a kind of monitor is that
Put your old college textbooks to use and stack them under your monitor like I do.
enik
276 posts
Joined December 2011
enik
^ I do like this too. If you put something like an empty box under your monitor it will be some free deck space for your tablet or other devices food
Lach
1,118 posts
Joined November 2012
Lach
you guys should try this helps keep neck and back straight for maximum ergonomics

GoldenWolf
2,983 posts
Joined May 2012
GoldenWolf

enik wrote:

^ I do like this too. If you put something like an empty box under your monitor it will be some free deck space for your tablet or other devices
oh my god genius, brb finding an empty box
iSpR1Te
268 posts
Joined May 2013
iSpR1Te
I have always kept my elbows/arms on the arm rests on my chair. I just tried lifting my arms up to at 90 degree angle (the same level as my table) and now I can see a major difference. It feels like I have a huger stamina boost. I can stream way long without getting tired. I can't believe I have never tried this before; this is excellent.

Thank you for this post :!:

Unfortunately I can't get the exact posture because I have a laptop. >:(
Gretsch
28 posts
Joined April 2011
Topic Starter
Gretsch
You don't have to look exactly like the image lol. I know that computer looks ridiculous. It's not hard to find images of proper piano posture or computer ergonomics.

@iSpR1Te: I'm glad you were able to get more comfortable and that it helped you out with playing.

@Mathsma: That's a great idea!
MovingtoMars
10 posts
Joined December 2012
MovingtoMars
This makes me realise how I need to stop my habit of crossing my legs while playing.
EcksDee
125 posts
Joined July 2009
EcksDee
But I learned on QI that the optimal seating position is at a 30 degree recline.
RaneFire
1,181 posts
Joined May 2011
RaneFire

EcksDee wrote:

But I learned on QI that the optimal seating position is at a 30 degree recline.
Slouching?

Tbh, I looked at this picture and thought... I can't sit like that... not comfortable. Even if it is optimal, I just don't feel like it. In fact I only sit like that with a straight back when I'm typing, probably because I learned to type with posture in mind since I was a kid. When gaming however, or watching a movie... anything goes.
pielak213
463 posts
Joined April 2010
pielak213
­
Last edited by pielak213 , edited 1 time in total.
Liiraye
1,354 posts
Joined December 2011
Liiraye
This is complete bullshit and won't make you improve at osu at all nor does it hold you back.

Do you think all pro players sit like retards as illustrated in the OP? I've seen a pretty much pro player play irl and he sat weird as fk compared to your pic. (He is also a flawless steamer)

Just play more and you'll improve. Stop giving people false hope.
buny
3,435 posts
Joined March 2012
buny

Liiraye wrote:

This is complete bullshit and won't make you improve at osu at all nor does it hold you back.

Do you think all pro players sit like retards as illustrated in the OP? I've seen a pretty much pro player play irl and he sat weird as fk compared to your pic. (He is also a flawless steamer)

Just play more and you'll improve. Stop giving people false hope.
they develop long term problems though
EcksDee
125 posts
Joined July 2009
EcksDee

RaneFire wrote:

EcksDee wrote:

But I learned on QI that the optimal seating position is at a 30 degree recline.
Slouching?

Tbh, I looked at this picture and thought... I can't sit like that... not comfortable. Even if it is optimal, I just don't feel like it. In fact I only sit like that with a straight back when I'm typing, probably because I learned to type with posture in mind since I was a kid. When gaming however, or watching a movie... anything goes.
Well I got this comfy as hell office chair which naturally puts me at an angle when sitting.
Feels great mang.
Liiraye
1,354 posts
Joined December 2011
Liiraye

buny wrote:

Liiraye wrote:

This is complete bullshit and won't make you improve at osu at all nor does it hold you back.

Do you think all pro players sit like retards as illustrated in the OP? I've seen a pretty much pro player play irl and he sat weird as fk compared to your pic. (He is also a flawless steamer)

Just play more and you'll improve. Stop giving people false hope.
they develop long term problems though
Possible, but the topic ensues that changing posture will improve your streaming abilities
Gretsch
28 posts
Joined April 2011
Topic Starter
Gretsch

Liiraye wrote:

This is complete bullshit and won't make you improve at osu at all nor does it hold you back.

Do you think all pro players sit like retards as illustrated in the OP? I've seen a pretty much pro player play irl and he sat weird as fk compared to your pic. (He is also a flawless steamer)

Just play more and you'll improve. Stop giving people false hope.
Posture is a big deal in pretty much any endeavor. Ask any musician and they'll tell you that posture is very important. Ask any athlete, same thing.

I've personally played with people who have complained of arm and finger pain and people who cramp up quickly when they play. It can either be fatigue from not playing enough or.... bad posture. This type of pain with bad posture can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome over the long term. Having the monitor at the wrong level can lead to eye strain over the long term. Having the wrist at a bad angle can strain it. Anything you can do to relieve pain on joints and muscles will help.

The picture is a reminder to people who are struggling with pain or cramping that a simple posture change can help out a ton..... and this can lead to better playing. It worked for me simply by getting my elbows at a better angle by adjusting my seating and I know it can help others if they tinker around with it.

This post is for beginners and for others who come to the forums looking for help with technique, etc. Even if it helps just a few people play more comfortably, I feel like the post was successful.
EcksDee
125 posts
Joined July 2009
EcksDee
So what do you think of this article

"Measurements of spinal angles, spinal disk height, and movements were taken. When undue strain is placed on a disk, it moves - often out of place. The researchers found that the upright position, at 90 degrees, caused disks to move the most, while the relaxed position (135 degrees) caused disks to move the least. In other words, the upright position is the worst for the back, while the relaxed position is the best."

Plus I mean it's undoubtedly more comfortable sitting and playing while reclining a bit IMO. Comfort should be what you strive for.

Also if you don't like news sites then this
Full Tablet
2,542 posts
Joined September 2011
Full Tablet
SPOILER
My playing (or general computer using) position is something like this (but with normal body proportions).
buny
3,435 posts
Joined March 2012
buny

EcksDee wrote:

So what do you think of this article

"Measurements of spinal angles, spinal disk height, and movements were taken. When undue strain is placed on a disk, it moves - often out of place. The researchers found that the upright position, at 90 degrees, caused disks to move the most, while the relaxed position (135 degrees) caused disks to move the least. In other words, the upright position is the worst for the back, while the relaxed position is the best."

Plus I mean it's undoubtedly more comfortable sitting and playing while reclining a bit IMO. Comfort should be what you strive for.

Also if you don't like news sites then this
I find it more comfortable to lean back on my chair

also i don't think sitting at 90 degrees is a mandatory ergonomic posture
Gretsch
28 posts
Joined April 2011
Topic Starter
Gretsch
Cool article. I can't argue with the study and I'm certainly not an expert on the matter. I agree comfort is the important thing.

I edited the OP to show the article and a couple other pics. The reclined spine angle can be achieved by either angling the seat downward like in the original skeleton pic, or with flat legs and reclined back. Thanks again for the article. Good stuff
Espionage724
876 posts
Joined August 2011
Espionage724

enik wrote:

^ I do like this too. If you put something like an empty box under your monitor it will be some free deck space for your tablet or other devices food
Or, disc drives :p


Was using two drives before with my taller table; just switched to a shorter one though.
iderekmc
368 posts
Joined April 2013
iderekmc

usa wrote:

according to this picture, i need to buy a lower desk
or a chair that can rise? xD
Mara
4,906 posts
Joined November 2009
Mara
Well no wonder my right arm feels like it's about to get ripped off when I play osu!
those
3,136 posts
Joined November 2010
those
One inch difference in the height of your seat can change your typing speed by up to 10 wpm.
iderekmc
368 posts
Joined April 2013
iderekmc

Full Tablet wrote:

SPOILER
My playing (or general computer using) position is something like this (but with normal body proportions).
like a boss xD
TakuMii
1,874 posts
Joined October 2009
TakuMii
Slightly related: I got something to keep on my lap to keep me from sitting too close to my monitor (a Piplup plushie, don't judge), and I noticed that my aim has drastically improved since then.
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