Home » Exercise and Fitness Activities » Walking Walking is a normal body phenomenon which also refers to different types of animal locomotion on land. A progressed and fast action of walking is called as running or crawling. This is a body function which if performed out in shallow waters it is also called as wading. In the same way when walking is performed over a sharp raised object or an obstacle it is called either scrambling or climbing. The modern word walking is derived from the old English ‘walkan’ which suggests rolling.

Considered on an average ratio a human child achieves the ability of free walking with the age of nine and fifteen months old. The walking style differs depending on style of every individual. Discussed below are some of the variations of walking: Scrambling: Among human beings walking is a major transportation method which is achieved without a vehicle or riding animal. Scrambling is a walking style in which an individual uses the arms not like a backup to normal balance. Of a normal person an average walking speed is about 5km/h but this only depends on such factors as age; a vital factor, height, weight, and topography.

Hand Walking: Hand Walking is another uncommon or is an unusual locomotion style in which the person who walks moves by using his/her hands.

Walking on crutches: walking on crutches suggests the manner of walking where crutches are used by an individual to move forward.

Normally walking is different from running which is a phenomenon where one foot only remains in contact with the ground at a time. Similarly running is also different from walking and it is a process carried out by humans as well as other animals. It begins when both the feet are off the ground with each step. For horses and other quadrupedal animals, the running pace is often different but while walking these animals keep three feet at a time on the ground. The difference between walking and running is marked by the difference where one foot always remains above the ground.

Walking sometimes is also practiced as a hobby like some people love to enjoy a long walk on a calm road hence many people also walk to satisfy their hobby. There are different types of walking which include the bushwalking, volksmarching, hillwalking, weight-walking, race walking. One other form is Nordic walking and hiking on long-distance paths.