Bipedalism is such a precarious way to get about that few species have settled on it. Yet, despite the absurdity of moving while trying to balance on two tiny platforms, we rarely give our steps a second thought. Perhaps we should.
Although we all , there is enough variation between individuals to easily tell people apart. Such differences could even be used as a biometric password.
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Some though. Small variations in leg swing can mean your heel hits the floor with enough force to damage the knee cartilage. Cases of knee osteoarthritis have doubled in the past 50 years, which to be explained by longer lifespan or even rising obesity. In that period, though, shoes have become more supportive, which may encourage a . Walking barefoot, or in , reduces the stress on your knees. High heels, unsurprisingly, .
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The way you walk can also affect your outlook. In experiments, with an 鈥渦pbeat鈥� gait remembered more positive words from a list, whereas those who walked with a 鈥渟ad鈥� gait remembered more negative words. Nearly anyone holding a smartphone is likely to walk with their gaze towards the floor. This not only slows you down, but .
If you want to improve your walking technique, . However, biomechanics researcher Richard Jones at the University of Salford, UK, says there is little evidence that changing your gait reduces your future risk of injury. 鈥淕ait is variable and that is fine unless there are symptoms,鈥� he says.
鈥淲hat matters more about walking is how much we do it, not how,鈥� says evolutionary anthropologist Daniel Lieberman at Harvard University. Studies of modern hunter-gatherers and super-healthy postal workers indicate that we should aim for 2 hours of brisk walking a day. Most of us manage only a fraction of that. So never mind your idiosyncratic gait 鈥� just do it.
Simple changes to your everyday habits could help transform your life. Follow our guide on how to do things better:
