Studies show that this pose can increase hip displacement. This in turn can increase the risk of blood clots by changing the rate at which blood moves through blood vessels in the lower extremities.
The longer and more often you sit cross-legged, the more likely you are to experience long-term changes in the length of the muscles and the position of the bones in the pelvis. It can also lead to misalignment of the spine and shoulders. In general, sitting cross-legged for long periods increases the likelihood of scoliosis and other deformities.
There is also evidence that crossing legs can affect sperm production. This is because the temperature of the testicles should be 2-6 °C below the standard body temperature. When you sit, the temperature of the testicles rises, and crossing your legs can raise the temperature by another 3.5°C.
It’s also worth noting that due to the differences in the anatomy of males and females, the latter is probably much easier to sit cross-legged. Men have limited range of motion in the hip.
However, for some people, sitting cross-legged can be beneficial. For example, a small 2016 study found that sitting cross-legged in people with one leg longer than the other can help adjust the height of either side of the pelvis.
Source: Ferra
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