Cell phones allow us to stay connected to the world when we’re on the go, but a new study suggests that using cell phones while walking alters our natural stride patterns, which could lead to injury.
Walking And Talking
The study, published in the Journal of Motor Behavior, decided to take a look at the impact of cell phone use on a person’s gait when walking. Considering that the average person sends about 18 text messages a day, odds are some of those are sent when we’re moving, and researchers wanted to see if craning our necks forward to compose a message had any impact on our stride patterns.
Previous research has shown that gait is not just an automatic task, and that outside influences can affect the way we walk. To test this theory, researchers recruited 22 healthy adults and split them into two groups based on their age. The average age of the younger group was 20.1 years old, and the average age of the older group was 60.5 years old. Each participant was asked to walk at a normal and comfortable pace on a treadmill for two minutes on two separate instances. Participants were not asked to do anything on their first walk, but on their second walk they were asked to perform a number dialing task. They were also asked to perform the number dialing task when seated. Cameras captured each participant’s movements while other instruments captured the forces their body exerted while walking.
Texting And Walking Results
After looking at the data, researchers found that cell phone use significantly impacted a person’s gait. When using a cell phone, researchers noted that the participants expressed:
- An increased stride width
- Decreased knee and ankle range of motion
- A peak knee flex during stance
- Peak ankle flexing (pointing of the toes)
Researchers suggest that these changes in walking pattern reflects a cautious gait, because the person’s attention is no longer focused on potential walking obstacles. The pattern was seen in both groups, suggesting that both young and old people prioritize phone use over their gait when attempting to perform the tasks simultaneously.
Researchers said they hope that phone companies consider the data when trying to come up with technological innovations for cellular devices in the future. Right now, texting while walking increases a person’s likelihood of suffering a fall or being hit by an object. That’s just one of the reasons the American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeons has taken a big stance against what they call “Digital Deadwalkers.”
So if you have to send that text or email, pause for a moment or hop on a nearby bench, because doing it while walking leaves you susceptible to injury!