Here is an excellent video from TED Talks, and I’ve prepared some questions that students can answer in class.

The video does come with subtitles but, depending on the class, you can ask the students to try watching it without them. Alternatively, they can watch, listen, and read at the same time, if the class is a lower level. This activity usually takes around 20-30 minutes depending on the feedback and discussion.

You can see the video here: Why sitting is bad for you – Murat Dalkilinç

The answers are given below.

Questions for the video:

1. What is “stay put”?
2. Is our body built to move or to stay still? Does our body love to sit?
3. How do we know that our body is built to move?
4. What happens to your spine when you sit for too long?
5. Why do you feel numbness and swelling in your limbs?
6. Is sitting down good for thinking and concentration?
7. What diseases can you get from sitting?
8. What are the simple solutions?
9. How long do you sit a day? Do you think you should move around more?

Extra Discussion Questions:

1. Do you get any back pain throughout the day?
2. Do you have a good posture when sitting down? Do you take small breaks when you’re working?
3. What is the best way to keep your back healthy?
4. Is diet important for back health? Why, why not?
5. Did any of the facts given in the video surprised you? Which ones?

Answers to the video:

1. “Stay put” is a phrasal verb which means to be still, not moving and in the same place.
2. Our body is built to move. It doesn’t really love to sit.
3. We know this because our body is comprised of over 360 joints and about seven hundred skeletal muscles that enable easy, fluid motion. Also, our blood depends on us moving around to be able to circulate properly, our nerve cells benefit from movement and our skin is elastic.
4. When we sit, we slouch, this position puts uneven pressure on our spine. Over time, this causes wear and tear in our spinal disks, overworks ligaments and joints and puts strain on our back muscles.
5. When we sit, there are some areas which get compressed and these get limited blood flow, causing the numbness and swelling.
6. No, it’s not. Our lungs are compressed while sitting and that limits the amount of oxygen to our brain reducing concentration.
7. In the long term, sitting for too long is liked to certain types of cancers and heart disease, can contribute to diabetes, heart disease and liver problems.
8. Try straightening your spine while you sit. Set a reminder to get up every half hour. Finally, appreciate the fact that your body is built for movement and take it out every so often.

Downloadable Questions and Answers:

That’s it! Leave a comment if you enjoyed this activity. Find more just like this here!