Texting While Walking Affect a Person's Walk and Results in a More Cautious Gait

We often find people texting while walking. Researchers from Texas AandM University and University of Bath, UK, have suggested that being cognitively distracted while walking may significantly affect the way a person walks and may result in a more cautious gait. The research team examined the effect of texting and walking while being cognitively distracted and negotiating curbs and other common pedestrian obstacles. They found that participants took significantly longer to complete the course while texting and being cognitively distracted compared to just walking.

Researchers also found that texting while being cognitively distracted also increased obstacle clearance, step frequency and decreased ability to walk in a straight line. The authors of the study suggested the participants when faced with cognitive challenges to decrease their walking speed to avoid accidents.

The research is published in the PLOS ONE.

Source-ANI