老年人擡頭挺胸或預防腰痠背痛

Now here's some research I'm not sure I agree with. The latest studies suggest good posture won't actually protect against aches and pains.
最新的研究表明：良好的姿勢實際上無助於預防疼痛。我並不確定這一研究結果是否正確。

What I've learned is that if I switch on my core muscles (pull your belly button in), my neck, back and head all fall comfortably into line and my spine feels comfortable and relaxed. My shoulders drop, my chin tucks in.
就我所知，如果我舒張核心肌肉（收腹）、擡頭挺胸，坐得筆直，那我的脊椎就會非常舒適、放鬆。如果肩部下垂，我的下巴就會往後縮。

What seems to matter more, say the experts, is how long you stay in a single position. That's what will give you aches and pains - spending too long in the same position. In other words, to prevent back pain, keep moving. We're designed to keep moving.
專家表示，最爲重要的是你能保持同一個姿勢多長時間。這纔是疼痛的原因所在--長時間保持同一個姿勢。換言之，爲了預防背痛，你需要不斷走動。我們就是要走來走去。

But some experts say there may be some benefit from sitting up straighter as we get older. Philip Conaghan, professor of musculoskeletal medicine at Leeds University, says: "When you get older - especially in your 60s and beyond - your muscles are losing strength, so sitting up straight may help to work your spinal muscles."
但有些專家表示，老年人坐的筆直也能帶來一些益處。利茲大學的肌肉骨骼醫學教授菲利普·科納汗（Philip Conaghan）說道："年老的時候--尤其是60歲往上--你的肌肉會變得沒有力氣，所以坐直了有助於鍛鍊脊椎肌肉。"

Even then, he says, it's general activity levels that are key, adding: "Keeping active will maintain your muscle strength - and that is most important for mobility and reducing aches and pains."
他說，即便如此，總體的活動水平纔是關鍵，補充道："保持活動有助於保持肌肉力量--這是行動能力和減輕疼痛的關鍵。"

Interestingly, posture seems to have a bearing on mood. Dr Cosmo Hallstrom, a spokesman for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, says: "It's common for depressed patients to present with a "despondent" posture - they have stooped shoulders and their head down."
有趣的是，姿勢似乎與情緒有關。英國皇家精神病學院的發言人科斯莫·霍爾斯特羅姆（Cosmo Hallstrom）醫生說道："抑鬱症患者呈現出'沮喪的'姿勢是很正常的--彎腰低頭。"

Research has shown that changing posture can make you feel better. A 2017 study found that when patients with depression were asked to change their posture, their mood improved. They asked 61 people with depression to give a speech, either sitting normally or pulling their shoulders back (which were then secured in place with tape). Scientists assessed the words they used and way they spoke.
研究表明：換個姿勢會讓你更舒服。2017年的一項研究發現，當抑鬱症患者被要求換個姿勢時，他們的心情會變得更好。研究員要求61位抑鬱症患者發表演講，可以像往常一樣坐着講，也可以坐直了講（然後用膠帶將其位置固定）。科學家評估了他們使用的語言，以及他們講話的方式。

Those with "corrected" posture seemed less tired and more enthusiastic. They spoke more words, indicating that they felt more alert, and they used fewer singular personal pronouns such as "I", signalling that they had less self-focus. They displayed less anxiety too.
那些坐姿"正確"的患者似乎沒那麼疲倦，也更爲熱情。他們說的話也更多，表明他們的思維更敏捷。此外，他們使用單一人稱代詞，如"我"的次數也更少，表明他們對自我的關注有所減少。而且，他們也沒有那麼焦慮。