Good posture allows your diaphragm to expand fully, promoting optimal oxygen intake. As a therapist and posture specialist, I understand the appeal of adding a cushion to your office or gaming chair.
It should be noted that this analysis confounded significant posture effects in opposite directions (Credé, 2018), and further included several studies that did not satisfy the criteria for a robust and reproducible p-curve result (Simonsohn, Nelson & Simmons, 2017). It correlates with both naturally fluctuating (Schultheiss, Dargel & Rohde, 2003) and experimentally induced affiliative motivation (Schultheiss, Wirth & Stanton, 2004; Wirth & Schultheiss, 2006) and may promote social bonding as a coping behavior in response to stress (Wirth, 2011). Only Ronay et al.’s (2017) study was a direct replication of the original study by Carney, Cuddy & Yap (2010), but also observed no significant effects.
This resulted in collection of saliva samples 2 and 3 approximately 23 and 36 min after the first posture, respectively, although the exact timing varied between participants (min. 14 min, max. 50). Participants had thus adopted the posture twice before sample 2, and three times before sample 3. Although allowing participants to freely adjust their posture for their own comfort during the task constitutes a less controlled posture manipulation, it ensures higher ecological validity, as it corresponds to what we typically do in everyday life. The experimenter informed participants that she would check whether they correctly adopted this standing posture each time via a camera.
Therefore, our sample size is too small to draw any conclusions regarding potentially existing effects below this threshold. If anything, this reduced variation of our dependent variables and should hence have facilitated the detection of posture effects. Akin to four previous studies using a single posture manipulation (Ranehill et al., 2015; Ronay et al., 2017; Smith & Apicella, 2017; Davis et al., 2017), we did not replicate the effects reported by Carney, Cuddy & Yap (2010). The first post-posture sample captured the potential incremental effect of adopting a posture twice, at approximately 23 and 11 min before sample collection.
As already mentioned in the article, the Scottish psychologist Amy Cuddy claims that utilizing a power posture for 2 minutes can increase your testosterone levels by 20%. This data shows us that preparatory power posing can be a simple tool that everyone can use and benefit from, especially when it comes to improving confidence, speech and even hormone levels. Amy Cuddy claims that doing a power pose not only impacts your cortisol and testosterone levels but could also potentially boost your chances for success, especially when it comes to job interviews. It also lowers cortisol levels by 25% in the brain, according to what the social psychologist Amy Cuddy found while researching body language as evident from her TED Talks presentation (2). Yes, having a bad posture (e.g. hunching or slouching) has a negative effect on testosterone levels, according to a 2010 study courtesy of the Harvard Business School (1). The "power posture" people experienced about a 25-percent decrease in cortisol production, while the "defeated posture" participants experienced a 15-percent increase in cortisol. The participants with a "power posture" experienced about a 20-percent increase in testosterone, while those that took on a "defeated posture" had about a 10-percent decrease in testosterone after maintaining their posture for two minutes.
This research data shows that certain nonverbal displays of posture influence neuroendocrine and hormone levels. Cortisol is released in times of stress, injury, and poor posture situations. Changes in posture resulted in hormonal changes among the participants. Bad posture can negatively impact your mood by contributing to feelings of stress, low energy, and decreased confidence. Yes, your body posture can indeed impact the physical hormone interactions in your body. Poor posture can strain the muscles, joints, and ligaments, leading to discomfort and tension that can contribute to elevated cortisol levels. By paying attention to how you hold yourself and making conscious adjustments to improve your posture, you can enhance your confidence, mood, and overall hormonal balance.
By maintaining an open and upright posture, you can signal to your body that you are confident and in control, helping to reduce cortisol levels and promote a sense of calmness. Let's explore the intricate relationship between posture and hormones and how simple changes in how you carry yourself can lead to significant improvements in your overall health. Research shows that open, upright body positions increase testosterone and reduce cortisol, leading to improved confidence, energy, and libido. The body begins to produce more cortisol and less testosterone, even in healthy men. While Carney et al. (2010) found that holding brief postural displays of power leads to increased testosterone, decreased cortisol and greater economic risk taking, this failed to replicate in a recent high-powered study (Ranehill et al. 2015). Elevated cortisol suppresses testosterone production, meaning that over time, poor posture could be leaving you more fatigued, anxious, and less energetic. Science suggests that poor posture doesn’t just affect your spine—it can impact your hormones, including testosterone.
Your body language not only influences how others see you, but also how your brain regulates energy, mood, and sex drive. Still, effects were small, multiple comparisons were made, and the results ran counter to our predictions. It has been put forward that subtle differences in social context may account for the differences in results. Always consult with a healthcare provider for any concerns or symptoms you may be experiencing. Straighten up, take control, and start reaping the hormonal benefits today. So, if you’ve been feeling sluggish, weaker, or just not as sharp as you used to be, don’t ignore your posture. Your posture isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling good and performing at your best.

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