Why Forward Thinkers Walk Backward

Are people who deliberately choose to walk backward just, well, backward? Or is there some reason for reverse locomotion? Why is backward walking is so popular in China that people actually have to worry about smacking into each other as they cruise down sidewalks at high rates of speed—in reverse?
The answer is found in the action of backward walking itself. Like forward walking (and unlike running), backward walking is an activity in which the walker always maintains at least some contact with the ground. There is no “airborne” phase. As a result, the force to the body at impact is minimal in comparison to jogging or running.

This is particularly helpful to individuals with stress fractures, injured knees, or similar challenges. As a result, walking backward is a viable way to maintain or improve cardiovascular fitness without risking further force-related trauma to the lower extremities.

Some of the muscles utilized when walking backward are different than those used in forward locomotion. For example, walking backward requires a reduced range of motion for knee joints (e.g. reduced length of stride) and the hamstring muscles are “pre-stretched” prior to loading. The force of impact is less, the foot contact pattern is markedly different, and even the lower extremity kinematic pattern varies from that involved in forward locomotion.

Backward walking is more work than forward walking, raising the heart rate more quickly and burning more calories. If you are too self-conscious to try it in public, there is always your living room—as walking backwards requires very little space.