My 9-year-old son and I have noticed that skipping seems like a more efficient form of locomotion than jogging. It is quicker, less tiring and hurts the knees less. Are we imagining this or is there an explanation? And can we make it socially acceptable for me to skip around our neighbourhood?
鈥� In an adult, running is more energy-efficient than skipping along for the same speeds. If you watch a child and adult walking to school and the adult increases their speed, the child may break into a skip, as an intermediate locomotion between walking and running.
It may be that there is less difference in energy-efficiency between skipping and running for a lighter body: unilateral skipping, with the same leg always to the front, was the choice for astronauts moving on foot on the moon鈥檚 surface. Skipping may be an unconscious choice for young Earthlings and for adults in lower gravity as, for a short time, both feet are simultaneously on the ground within the stride pattern, unlike in running, and thus offers better balance.
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鈥淪kipping is good exercise. Some sports coaches use the 鈥楳orecambe and Wise鈥� drill. Singing is optional鈥�
Skipping should be socially acceptable, but most adults may find it difficult to release their inner child from the shackles of embarrassment and self-consciousness.
David Muir
Edinburgh, UK
鈥� Humans are actually better suited for running than skipping. Professional runners tend to roll the foot forward with each step, which involves static friction rather than the kinetic friction of skipping. This means less energy is lost per footfall. It also distributes load more efficiently.
As for making skipping socially acceptable for adults, try contacting the Ministry of Silly Walks (c/o Monty Python).
Netta Schramm
Cambridge, UK
鈥� If you find that skipping makes your knees hurt less than running, it could be that when you skip, you move your hips forward a little and as a result the exercise feels easier. The knees get stressed most when the foot lands outside of our centre of balance. This is more likely when we lean back or the hips are pulled or relaxed back. When you walk, run or skip try to consciously move your hips forward so your centre of gravity is more over your feet.
Peter Ashby
Dundee, UK
鈥� It may not be as efficient, but skipping is good exercise. Some coaches use the 鈥淢orecambe and Wise鈥� drill, named after the TV duo鈥檚 comedy dance, for calf muscles. Singing is optional.
Simon Dales
Oxford, UK
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