Buzz
Haurrrrrrk. Gnnnnnh. Ennnhh. These sounds often accompany lifting heavy items, removing a splinter, or dealing with constipation. But for many over 40, these noises emerge whenever they sit down on the couch or rise from a chair. So what causes this?
In a 2021 interview with MEL Magazine, chiropractor Robert Hayden offered a simple explanation. 'Getting up from a chair requires the core strength of the abdominal muscles,' said Hayden. 'As you age, those muscles are more likely to have weakened due to time. The muscles that would help lift you from a sitting or reclining position become less effective.'
'Sometimes, when exerting this effort, people may hold their breath in an attempt to strengthen their muscles,' Hayden added. 'This can result in a grunt when they resume breathing.'
Both sitting and standing require engaging your core, albeit not to the extreme level of balancing on a workout ball. Even so, some degree of core activation is still involved. When you tighten your core, you might find yourself letting out a grunt with an exhale. Younger individuals, however, don't need to brace themselves as much, which is why a child can easily leap off a sofa and start swinging from a ceiling fan without making a sound.
Grunting during simple physical activities might not only be a response to the effort but also an instinctive reaction to discomfort or stiffness, particularly as we age. If you've been sitting for an extended period, your hip muscles may resist sudden movement. In this case, letting out a reflexive 'nyehhh' is natural.
Groaning doesn't always stem from pain. We might release a 'hurrrkkk' to indicate we're struggling a bit. It could also be a habit formed from previous moments of discomfort, leading us to expect the same response even when the pain isn't present.
Groaning might also help increase physical effort, similar to how athletes like tennis players or powerlifters use vocalizations to enhance their performance. A simple 'guhhh' might boost an athlete’s serve, and in the general public, it could assist someone in rising from a recliner. At a certain stage in life, that may feel just as triumphant as winning the U.S. Open.
