Dead butt syndrome is a bit of a tongue-in-cheek term for a phenomenon that raises more serious concerns about the health effects of prolonged sitting. Problems including transient discomfort and maybe chronic pain can arise, in addition to other adverse health effects. Please acknowledge the importance and concern of this.
Unexpectedly, it appears that generative AI has dual roles in the dead butt syndrome story: villain and hero. After going over some important background information on dead butt syndrome, I’ll examine how generative AI fits into the picture.
Here’s the bottom line. If you are experiencing this phenomenon or know someone who is, being aware of the issues at hand should help you steer clear of any unfavourable outcomes or encourage you to deal with any challenges that have already arisen.
The quiet risks of oversitting
Smarmy remarks that hint at a person’s posterior are common in our culture. Some of the more memorable ones are: “Move that keister, shake that booty, landing on your bum, get off your butt, showing off your derriere, toning your cheeks, firming up your buns, revealing a great behind, wiggling your caboose, and strengthening your glutes.”
The main idea is that, although we should already be well aware of the importance of caring for our gluteus maximus, there appears to be a general disregard for this in today’s world. For endless hours, we spend our time in front of computer displays. Things became worse with the introduction of cell phones. You can read that electronic book you’ve been wanting to get around to reading or spend hours upon hours staring at cat videos wherever you go.
Excerpts from a recent Times Now Digital story titled “Sitting For Too Long Can Cause Dead Butt Syndrome – Signs To Watch Out For” described the general nature of the issue:
- Sitting for over 6 hours daily is linked to musculoskeletal issues (American Journal of Preventive Medicine).
- Inactivity causes gluteal muscle atrophy, leading to Dead Butt Syndrome (British Journal of Sports Medicine).
- Prevent Dead Butt Syndrome with:
- Frequent breaks
- Glute activation exercises
- Hip flexor stretches
- Posture Improvement
- Foam rolling
It would be said by a smarmy individual that taking prophylactic action is glaringly evident. All it boils down to is occasionally getting off your duff. Additionally, make an effort to work out the fanny-related body parts. And so forth.
Nevertheless, why don’t people take those actions if this is so evident? Let’s look into it.
Why individuals neglect their keister
Firstly, it’s safe to state that many people are unaware of the potential risks associated with prolonged sitting. The majority of us spent hours upon hours sitting in classes while we were in school. We visit movie theatres and spend many hours sitting there. Long flights and almost constant sitting are common aspects of flying.
This implies that extended periods of sitting are something we often do; it may even become second nature to us.
Second, you could easily lose track of how long you are sitting when you are sat due to distractions. A movie transports you to a different universe while captivating you. When travelling by air, your only real option is to sit and wait for the plane to reach its destination.
In all of these situations, we can get up and stretch, but norms often prevent us from doing so.
Third, it normally takes some time for the gluteal muscles to erode. The wearing down, also known as gluteal amnesia, usually occurs gradually over time. At first, it’s not apparent. People don’t realise anything is wrong until the degradation becomes apparent. A number of symptoms start to manifest, including hip discomfort, hamstring tightness, lower back pain, and others.
To sum up, we have a general lack of awareness, a cultural expectation that sits for extended periods, and a gradual attrition that doesn’t immediately hit us over the head with the realisation that something is wrong.
That, in my opinion, is an ideal storm for introducing generative AI in this field.
The generative AI and Dead Butt Syndrome
I was saying that in this story (or should I say, “tail”) of woe, generative AI is both a hero and a villain.
Take into consideration these two options:
(1) The heroic role of generative AI. You may avoid or overcome dead butt syndrome with the help of generative artificial intelligence (AI).
(2) The villainous nature of generative AI. The use of generative AI can worsen dead butt syndrome and induce prolonged durations of sitting.
One potential application of generative AI is as a watchdog for dead butt syndrome, where it can alert you to potential danger signs. You may instruct generative AI to alert you after extended durations of sitting with relatively easy-to-understand instructions. To nudge you to get up, the AI may trigger a pop-up alert. Additionally, generative AI may converse with you about the risks associated with dead butt syndrome and even direct you toward appropriate movement and posture workouts.
The second use case involves individuals becoming so enthralled with generative AI that they sit around and engage in dialogue with it, becoming as cognitively engaged as, if not more so while watching a movie. Sadly, it is far too simple to sit for hours on end and watch while generative AI appears to have long, fluid discussions with you.
Thus, generative AI is just another thing that makes people sit, sit and sit.
Taking action against Dead Butt Syndrome
Generative AI can be a helpful tool in managing Dead Butt Syndrome, but it’s important not to rely solely on it for diagnosis—always consult a physician first. Once diagnosed, AI can assist with rehabilitation by guiding doctor-recommended glute exercises, creating exercise schedules, and sending reminders. It can also provide motivational support to keep you on track.
However, be cautious, as AI can also contribute to the problem if it leads to prolonged sitting and inactivity. To counter this, use AI’s voice features while moving, like walking outdoors, to stay active and avoid sitting too long. By integrating AI in a balanced way, you can effectively support your recovery while keeping your health in check.
(Tashia Bernardus)