Do humans walk in the most efficient way?

Question

After tens of thousands of years of bi-pedal walking, have we learned to do it in the most reliable and efficient way possible?

Answer 1

If you're just talking about energy efficiency, riding a bicycle is the most efficient way of traveling. So the most efficient way of moving would be to have circular 'legs' which could rotate all the way around.

Unfortunately, there are many other parameters to optimize, such as durability, agility... and there also has to be an evolutionary pathway to it. Obviously, although having wheels for legs might be fun while you're coasting down a hill, it wouldn't serve the overall needs of humans. While evolution doesn't guarantee that the particular form we're in is the absolute best solution, it does suggest that there aren't any obvious simple changes that would produce a better result.

Cool quesiton.

Answer 2

For primates, yes. Human gait is far more efficient for energy expenditure than the lumbering gait of other primates. Our leg swing is very efficient for striding and traveling long distances by foot. However, compared to some other species, human walking may not be the most efficient means of travel.

Answer 3

In the age that we live in, or at least the First World countries, pretty much everything is made for the way we walk, so if we were to change, any change would be for the worse until our enviroment adapts to the new change. So yes, it is the moft reliable and efficient way to walk. For now.

Answer 4

Apparently, one of the animals with the most efficient way of walking is the penguin. Women who walk for miles balancing objects on their heads walk the same way as a penguin. Doctors are now teaching elderly people who are recovering from hip surgery and so on to walk like penguins!

Answer 5

The efficiency failing only comes with americans who try to walk and think at the same time.

Answer 6

U have to sacrifice something, bi-pedal locomotion is less efficient than qua pedal animals. However, we make it up with brain power.

Answer 7

Kangaroos actually use less energy the faster they hop, because their tail stores elastic energy. However humans do not have kangaroo tails.
Babies try lots of different ways of walking, some of them not successful, and I'm pretty sure the one they end up with is whatever works best for them, and that is pretty similar for millions of babies, so I'd say this is the best we can do!

Answer 8

Humans don't do anything in an officiant way, after all we are only bald Gorillas, not quite as clever for the most of us but we do try hard.

Answer 9

Nope - they are constantly showing there are things we don't do well.

I recall the study which showed those women who carry burdens on their heads are barely exerting themselves compared to people with backpacks on. They also walk with a different gait. It was very interesting.

Answer 10

For our mass and structure I think the compromise stands. We have a good combination of agility, power and adaptation to all terain.

Keep walking