Walking
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'''Walking''' (also called '''ambulation''') is the main form of [[animal]] [[locomotion]] on [[Earth|land]], distinguished from [[running]] and [[crawling (locomotion)|crawling]].<ref>http://www.runningplanet.com/training/running-versus-walking.html Walking v. running</ref><ref>http://www.bartleby.com/28/15.html Walking by David Thoreau</ref> When carried out in shallow waters, it is usually described as ''wading'' and when performed over a steeply rising object or an obstacle it becomes ''[[scrambling]]'' or ''[[climbing]]''. The word ''walk'' is descended from the [[Old English language|Old English]] ''wealcan'' "to roll".
Walking is generally distinguished from [[running]] in that only one [[foot]] at a time leaves contact with the ground: for [[human]]s and other [[biped]]s running begins when both feet are off the ground with each step. (This distinction has the status of a formal requirement in [[race walking|competitive walking]] events, often resulting in disqualification even at the [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] level.) For horses and other [[quadruped]]al species, the running [[gait]]s may be numerous, and walking keeps three feet at a time on the ground.
The average human child achieves independent walking ability between nine and fifteen months old.
While not strictly bipedal, several ''primarily'' bipedal human gaits (where the long bones of the arms support at most a small fraction of the body's weight) are generally regarded as variants of walking. These include:
* [[Hand walking]]; an unusual form of [[gait (human)|locomotion]], in which the walker moves primarily using their [[hand]]s.
* walking on [[crutches]] (usually executed by alternating between standing on both legs, and rocking forward "on the crutches" (i.e., supported under the [[armpit]]s by them);
* walking with one or two [[walking stick]](s) or [[trekking poles]] (reducing the load on one or both legs, or supplementing the body's normal [[Sense of balance|balancing]] mechanisms by also pushing against the ground through at least one arm that holds a long object);
* walking while holding on to a [[Walker (tool)|walker]], a framework to aid with [[Equilibrioception|balance]]; and
* [[scrambling]], using the arms (and hands or some other extension to the arms) not just as a backup to normal balance, but, as when walking on [[Scree|talus]], to achieve states of balance that would be impossible or unstable when supported solely by the legs.
For humans, walking is the main form of [[transport]]ation without a [[vehicle]] or [[riding animal]]. An average walking speed is about 4 to 5 [[km/h]] (2 to 3 [[mph]]), although this depends heavily on factors such as height, weight, age and terrain. A [[pedestrian]] is a walking person, in particular on a [[road]] (if available on the [[sidewalk]]/path/pavement).<ref>http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/publications/wellspring/2003/Spring/Vol14No2.pdf Watch Your Step: Pedometers and Physical Activity</ref><ref>http://www.medicinenet.com/walking/page5.htm Walking speed</ref>
==Biomechanics==
Human walking is accomplished with a strategy called the [[double pendulum]]. During forward motion, the leg that leaves the ground swings forward from the hip. This sweep is the first pendulum. Then the leg strikes the ground with the heel and rolls through to the toe in a motion described as an inverted pendulum. The motion of the two legs is coordinated so that one foot or the other is always in contact with the ground. The process of walking recovers approximately sixty per cent of the energy used due to pendulum dynamics and ground reaction force.<ref>http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/health/HealthRepublish_232296.htm double pendulum walk</ref><ref>http://web.deu.edu.tr/mechatronics/TR/webpagedesignbipedal/humangait.pdf Human gait</ref>
Walking differs from a [[running]] [[gait]] in a number of ways. The most obvious is that during walking one leg always stays on the ground while the other is swinging. In running there is typically a [[ballistic]] phase where the runner is airborne with both feet in the air (for bipedals).
Another difference concerns the movement of the [[center of mass]] of the body. In walking the body 'vaults' over the leg on the ground, raising the center of mass to its highest point as the leg passes the vertical, and dropping it to the lowest as the legs are spread apart. Essentially [[kinetic energy]] of forward motion is constantly being traded for a rise in [[potential energy]]. This is reversed in running where the center of mass is at its lowest as the leg is vertical. This is because the impact of landing from the ballistic phase is adsorbed by bending the leg and consequently storing energy in [[muscles]] and [[tendons]]. In running there is a conversion between kinetic, potential, and [[elastic energy]].
There is an absolute limit on an individual's speed of walking (without special techniques such as those employed in [[speed walking]]) due to the velocity at which the center of mass rises or falls - if it's greater than the acceleration due to gravity the person will become airborne as they vault over the leg on the ground. Typically however, animals switch to a run at a lower speed than this due to energy efficiencies.
==As a leisure activity==
[[Image:2005 World Championships in Athletics 4.jpg.JPG|thumb|[[Race walking]]]]
Many people walk as a [[hobby]], and in our post-industrial age it is often enjoyed as one of the best forms of [[exercise]]<ref>http://www.ramblers.org.uk/walking/getwalking/whywalking/benefits.html Walking benefits</ref>
Fitness walkers and others may use a [[pedometer]] to count their steps. The types of walking include [[bushwalking]], [[racewalking]], weight-walking, [[hillwalking]], [[volksmarching]], [[Nordic walking]] and hiking on [[long-distance path]]s. Sometimes people prefer to walk indoors using a [[treadmill]]. In some countries walking as a hobby is known as [[hiking]] (the typical North American term), rambling (a somewhat dated British expression, but remaining in use because it is enshrined in the title of the important [[Ramblers' Association]]), or tramping. Hiking is a subtype of walking, generally used to mean walking in [[nature]] areas on specially designated routes or trails, as opposed to in [[urban area|urban]] environments; however, hiking can also refer to any long-distance walk. More obscure terms for walking include "to go by Marrow-bone stage", "to take one's daily constitutional", "to ride Shank's pony", "to ride Shank's mare", or "to go by Walker's bus." Among [[search and rescue]] responders, those responders who walk (rather than ride, drive, fly, climb, or sit in a communications trailer) often are known as "ground pounders".<ref>http://www.nasar.org/nasar/support_nasar.php Ground pounders</ref><ref>http://www.dog-pound.net/sar-dogs.htm - Ground pounders - unpaid volunteers
</ref>
The world's largest registration walking event is the [[International Four Days Marches Nijmegen]]. The annual Labor Day walk on [[Mackinac Bridge]] draws over sixty thousand participants. The [[Chesapeake Bay Bridge]] walk annually draws over fifty thousand participants. Walks are often organized as [[Charitable organization|charity]] events with walkers seeking sponsors to raise money for a specific cause. Charity walks range in length from two mile (3 km) or five km walks to as far as fifty miles (eighty km). The [[MS Challenge Walk]] is an example of a fifty mile walk which raises money to fight [[multiple sclerosis]]. The Oxfam Trailwalker is a one hundred km event.
[[Image:Sheep walking down road.jpg|thumb|[[Sheep]] walking along a road]]
In Britain, the [[Ramblers' Association]] is the biggest organisation that looks after the interests of walkers. A registered [[charitable organization|charity]], it has 139 000 members.
Regular, brisk cycling or walking can improve confidence, [[Endurance|stamina]], energy, [[weight control]], [[life expectancy]] and reduce [[Chronic stress|stress]]. It can also reduce the risk of [[coronary heart disease]], [[stroke]]s, [[diabetes]], [[high blood pressure]], [[bowel cancer]] and [[osteoporosis]]. Modern scientific studies have showed that walking, besides its physical benefits, is also beneficial for the mind — improving [[memory]] skills, [[learning]] ability, [[concentration]] and abstract reasoning, besides reducing stress and uplifting ones' spirits. [http://www.bps.lk/walking_meditation.html Source]
==As transportation==
Walking is the most basic and common [[mode of transportation]] and is recommended for a healthy lifestyle, and has numerous [http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/07/walking_driving.html environmental benefits]<ref>http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/07/walking_driving.html</ref>.There has been a recent focus among [[urban planning|urban planners]] in some communities to create [[pedestrian-friendly]] areas and roads, allowing [[commuting]], shopping and recreation to be done on foot. Some communities are at least partially [[Auto-free zone|car-free]], making them particularly supportive of walking and other modes of transportation. In the United States, the [[Active Living]] network is an example of a concerted effort to develop communities more friendly to walking and other physical activities.
Walking is also considered to be clear example of sustainable mode of [[transport]], especially suited for urban use and/or relatively shorter distances. Non Motorised Transport modes such as walking, but also [[cycling]], small-wheeled transport (skates, skateboards, push scooters and hand carts) or wheelchair travel are often key elements of successfully encouraging clean urban transport (Source: [http://www.eu-portal.net/material/material2.phtml?sprache=en&kt=kt11 Non Motorised Transport, Teaching and Learning Material]). A large variety of case studies and good practices (from European cities and some world-wide examples) that promote and stimulate walking as a means of transportation in cities can be found at [[Eltis]], Europe's portal for local transport.<ref>http://www.eltis.org European Local Transport Information Service] ([[ELTIS]]) provides case studies concerning walking as a local transport concept</ref>
However, some studies indicate that walking is more harmful to the environment than [[car travel]]. This is because more energy is expended in growing and providing the food necessary to regain the calories burned by walking compared to the energy used in the operation of a car These studies have been criticised for using inefficient food sources (i.e. those that use large amounts of energy to produce) such as milk or meat to skew the results..<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article2195538.ece is an article about an U.K. Green Party candidate who studied the environmental impact of walking plus all comments for and against.</ref>
On roads with no [[sidewalks]], [[pedestrians]] should always walk facing the oncoming traffic for their own and other peoples' safety.
When distances are too great to be convenient, walking can be combined with other modes of transportation, such as [[utility cycling|cycling]], [[public transport]], [[car sharing]], [[carpool]]ing, [[hitchhiking]], ride sharing, car rentals and taxis. These methods may be more efficient or desirable than private [[automobile|car]] ownership, being a healthy means of physical exercise.
The development of specific rights of way with appropriate infrastructure can promote increased participation and enjoyment of walking. Examples of types of investment include [[Car-free zone|malls]], and [[foreshoreway]]s such as [[oceanway]]s and [[riverwalk]]s.
==In robotics==
{{main|Robot locomotion}}
The first successful attempts at walking [[robot]]s tended to have 6 legs. The number of legs was reduced as microprocessor technology advanced, and there are now a number of robots that can walk on 2 legs, albeit not nearly as well as a human being.
==See also==
* [[Footpath]]
* [[Hiking]]
* [[Hillwalking]]
* [[List of long-distance footpaths]]
* [[List of U.S. cities with most pedestrian commuters]]
* [[Nordic walking]]
* [[Outdoor education]]
* [[Pedestrian-friendly]]
* [[Pedometers]]
* [[Power Walking]]
* [[Racewalking]]
* [[Sidewalk]]
* [[Sustainable transport]]
* [[Terrestrial locomotion in animals]]
* [[Trail]]
* [[Walking stick]]
* [[Walking fish]]
==External links==
{{Wiktionarypar|walk}}
{{commonscat|Walking}}
* http://www.eltis.org European Local Transport Information Service] ([[Eltis|ELTIS]]) provides case studies concerning walking as a local transport concept
* http://www.walkengland.org.uk Walk England provides information on walking for the individual, and also expert advice for professionals whose job it is to encourage and enable people to walk more.
==References==
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[[Category:Human skills]]
[[Category:Exercise]]
[[Category:Locomotion]]
[[Category:Walking| ]]
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