Defecating while sitting causes more physical strain than squatting
Evidence from scoping reviews and physiological studies indicates that a squatting posture straightens the anorectal angle and reduces physical strain during bowel evacuation compared to sitting.
The retrieved literature (specifically scoping reviews like [9] and clinical studies like [10], [11]) consistently supports the claim that the traditional sitting posture on standard toilets creates a more obstructive rectoanal angle, leading to increased digestive strain compared to the squatting position.
Niloofar Rahgoshay, Mohammad Rahdar, Laleh Nikoo, Hadi Daneshmandi. Sitting vs. squatting: a scoping review of toilet postures and associated health outcomes. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23379-8
A scoping review of toilet postures indicates that squatting may reduce digestive strain and enhance bowel evacuation compared to sitting.
See more details
Fahrul Azmi Tanjung, Supriatmo Supriatmo, Atan Baas Sinuhaji, Hakimi Hakimi. Functional constipation and posture in defecation. 2013. https://doi.org/10.14238/pi53.2.2013.104-7
A clinical study on defecation posture found a significant correlation between the sitting posture and functional constipation.
Charles Edgar Charles Edgar, M. Sohail M. Sohail, Sue Cavill. Rethinking the effectiveness of defecation postures and practices: it’s not what you do it’s the way that you do it!. 2017. https://doi.org/10.3362/1756-3488.17-00019
Experimental findings suggest that using a footstool to simulate a squatting posture on a standard pedestal toilet reduces the perceived stress and strain on the body during bowel movements.
The paper trail · every fact has a biography
Challenge the receipt
Citation formatting by citeproc-js (Frank Bennett) and the Citation Style Language project. Source and licenses.
Terms · Privacy · How verdicts work · Dispute this receipt