Whether it’s the physical toll of carrying young children, the posture problems associated with wearing high heels, or the health risks that come from undiagnosed bone loss, it’s no secret that women put their bodies through a lot of strain as they age. Fortunately, it’s comforting to know that they can at least take it all sitting down … safely. A variety of ergonomically correct chairs are on the market, made to keep up with their changing needs.

In the words of Liz Sworden, Director of Marketing for BioFit, an investment in proper seating holds many overall wellness and anti-aging benefits, stating that, “Just as women are generally more conscious of the health benefits of exercise, as evidenced by the rise in popularity of Pilates, home training and other body toning methods, they should also know how important it is to take care of themselves when working in a seated position for long periods of time."

“Not doing so can cause the body to hunch forward, creating a curve in the lower back known as kyphosis – the bending of the spine opposite of its natural position. This puts maximum pressure on the spinal discs and muscle groups, heightening the likelihood of injury,” Sworden said.

In an article published on the women’s health website, BellaOnline: The Voice of Women, guest author Marji Hajic revealed the finer points of proper ergonomic chair adjustments and their affects on seating posture. Among her findings, she reported that a chair should have fully adjustable seat height, depth and angle controls, allowing the user to dial in the appropriate balance, comfort and support levels to maintain healthy posture.

She did, however, have a word of caution: “Take note of how you are sitting, and gradually and gently develop the deepening of the joints necessary to sit with your hips and knees at 90 degrees. Developing a relaxed, comfortable body is like peeling the layers of an onion. Take a little off the surface at a time,” Hajic said.

Sworden concluded that while ergonomic seating may not be the sole secret to the fountain of youth, it certainly does play a role in preventing premature fatigue, combating sleep deprivation and may even play a role in reversing restless leg syndrome symptoms caused by poor circulation from sitting incorrectly – all sound reasons to make practicing proper ergonomics a part of any age-defying program.