According to a new study led by researchers at Texas A&M, people attempting to walk and text while cognitively distracted tend to slow down and swerve.
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The authors concluded: “Our results… suggest that those who walk and text adopt a “protective” gait pattern adjustment in order to minimise the risk of potential accidents”.
For example, in the study, the participants had to reply to a standardized text message, whereas real-life texts can stir emotions (an argument with a partner, say), which might affect attention differently. Thirty participants, 18-50 years-old, completed three randomized, walking tasks through an obstacle course while: (1) walking normally, (2) texting and walking, and (3) texting and walking while being cognitively distracted with a math test. The researchers analyzed the walkers gait using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system and modeled each task to assess differences between each trial. The authors of this study examined the effect of texting and walking while being cognitively distracted and negotiating curbs and other common pedestrian obstacles.
Those who texted while walking took significantly longer to complete the course than those who didn’t…
They found that texting causes people to slow their pace and make large, exaggerated movements to negotiate crowds and compensate for their diminished vision.
Those texting and walking were more careful, took more steps and were less likely to walk in a straight line. A real-world stroll might not go almost as smoothly.
“Interestingly, we did not see an increase in what we called barrier contacts, which were used as a surrogate measure for tripping”.
“It’s probably too optimistic to suggest that people learn to enjoy their walks and let the text and emails wait”.
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It may be because this age group is familiar with walking and using mobile phones.
