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Why is standing more tiring than walking?

Walking takes more energy than standing still, so why isn’t it more tiring? We also ask whether it’s bad to sit down to rest; and which is better for you: walking or running?

Standing takes less energy than walking, so why does it feel more tiring? At least, it does for CrowdScience listener Nina. She can march for hours without getting tired, but her legs and feet get achy after just a short time standing still.

It’s one of three walking-themed questions CrowdScience is tackling this week. Taking inspiration from our active listeners, Marnie Chesterton walks up a hill with Caroline Williams, author of a new book about why humans are designed to move. We find out how our whole system – body and brain – works better when we’re walking, compared to standing still. We’re probably set up this way because of our evolutionary history: hunting and gathering needed us to be ‘cognitively engaged endurance athletes’.

We stop for a break.. but is it true that we shouldn’t sit down to rest during a walk? Our listener Sarah is a keen hillwalker but likes to take the weight off her feet every now and again. Her hillwalking friends disapprove, saying she should rest on her feet. Is this a myth CrowdScience can bust?

And finally a question from listener Matteo: is walking or running better for your health? Numerous studies show significant benefits to both forms of exercise, but in the end, the best kind of exercise is the one you’re motivated to do.

With Caroline Williams, Dr François-Xavier Li, Professor Dick Greene and Professor Duck-Chul Lee.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Mon 12 Jul 2021 12:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 9 Jul 2021 19:32GMT
  • Sat 10 Jul 2021 01:32GMT
  • Sun 11 Jul 2021 01:32GMT
  • Mon 12 Jul 2021 03:32GMT
  • Mon 12 Jul 2021 04:32GMT
  • Mon 12 Jul 2021 08:32GMT
  • Mon 12 Jul 2021 12:32GMT

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