People on Reddit are diving into a curious question: Is it more energy-efficient to walk on giant stilts? This chat started after someone spotted a video of the Banna tribe in Ethiopia. They traditionally use long wooden stilts for herding cattle, mainly to stay safe from animals. Nowadays, it’s also a cultural expression.
Stilt walking is a cherished tradition for the Banna. As noted by Further Africa, unmarried young men often carry out this activity during community festivals, where they paint their bodies with white stripes to mark the occasion.
So, what about energy efficiency? Opinions on Reddit varied. One user pointed out that it’s a complex question, tied to kinesiology, not just simple math. For someone untrained, stilts likely aren’t practical. However, a seasoned stilt walker might have a different experience.
Interestingly, scientists explored this very question. In research from 1981, they studied the walking efficiency of three young men who enjoyed stilt walking as a hobby. They used stilts that were 4.6 feet long and had the men walk at different speeds.
The findings were fascinating. Walking with stilts allowed the men to cover ground faster. When using stilts, their step length increased by about 30%, but their step frequency decreased. In total, they could walk 0.7 to 1.5 km/h faster compared to regular walking. However, the researchers found the difference in energy expenditure to be minor.
They discovered that the weight of the stilts played a significant role. A study mentioned supported this, revealing that carrying extra weight on your feet raises energy use more than weight on your trunk. Given that each stilt weighed 2 kg, this additional load contributed to the findings.
To sum it up, while stilts might help you avoid danger, see over crowds, or simply stand out, they don’t offer much in terms of energy efficiency. If you’re looking to save energy while walking, sticking to good old-fashioned methods might be your best bet.
For a closer look at the study, check out the findings documented on PubMed.
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