This article explores the impact of walking on human cognitive functions.
Keywords: walking, cognitive function, creativity, analytical skills, concentration.
Introduction
The modern lifestyle, rooted in the flourishing online world and sedentary occupations, exacerbated by habits acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a decline in walking activity among individuals. The loss of this simple habit can have detrimental effects not only on cardiovascular health and muscle structure but also on cognitive functions.
Analytical abilities, sustained concentration, and the ability to easily generate new ideas are all directly linked to walking. “Walking is thought in motion” — an aphorism by Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher from the first half of the 19th century. Walking positively impacts mental sharpness and creative abilities, contributing to the development of skills such as attentiveness and perseverance.
However, why does this happen and how strong is this influence?
Objective : this study aims to investigate and evaluate the effect of walking on specific cognitive functions.
Research Object: walking activity.
Research Subject: the impact of walking activity on human cognitive functions.
Research Methods: analysis of existing research, surveys.
Even in ancient times, people noticed that walking somehow affected the human brain and its functions. “I have found that as soon as I begin to move my feet, thoughts begin to churn in my head,” wrote philosopher Henry David Thoreau. In the modern world, world-renowned geniuses Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs held meetings while walking, convinced that a walk stimulated creativity and helped them think more clearly. To explain this from a scientific standpoint, our work will present research and explanations that prove the influence of walking on processes such as creative thinking, analytical abilities, and concentration, as well as the cognitive functions involved in them.
Walking As Creativity Booster. Creativity, a complex process, involves cognitive functions such as divergent thinking, visualization, originality, and associative thinking. A study conducted by Stanford University in 2014 [2] found that creativity and creative abilities increased by more than 60 percent during walking.
Participants in the experiment were placed in different conditions: some sat indoors on a chair, some walked on an indoor treadmill, some walked outdoors, and some were moved outdoors in wheelchairs. Later, participants were asked to complete a test that required creative input. The results showed that creative output increased by more than 60 % when a student walked. Importantly, it was the act of walking itself, not the surrounding environment, that mattered, as creativity levels increased equally when participants walked outdoors and when they walked on a treadmill facing a blank wall.
To explain this from a physiological perspective, let's start with the fact that walking promotes blood flow to the human brain, thereby increasing its activity. Increased blood flow releases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other growth factors [3, p.25–28]. BDNF stimulates the formation of new neurons and synapses, and also makes existing synapses more plastic. Further, thanks to synaptic plasticity, signal transmission in the brain improves, and the proliferation of neuronal cells contributes to improved memory and idea generation. An added bonus is that creative output increases not only during walking activity itself but also for some time afterward.
This discovery has led to the following opinion: walking positively influences the development of creativity but may hinder rather than help when it comes to analytical thinking and concentration. Is this really the case?
The Walking Path to Analytical Genius. Researchers at the University of British Columbia discovered that if a person takes at least an hour-long walk (more than 5,000 steps) daily, new neurons begin to form in the area of their brain responsible for memory (the hippocampus) [4]. Regular walking has a cumulative effect on memory: over time, people who walk regularly start to process information faster and spend less time memorizing it.
It can also be assumed that due to its influence on critical thinking, creativity, and memory, walking also has a positive effect on logical thinking. Improved blood circulation and better oxygen supply after walking enhance the functioning of neurons, as well as coordination between different parts of the brain, which could potentially contribute to the development of logical thinking. However, there are no direct studies dedicated solely to the link between walking and logic.
Critical thinking, memory, and logical thinking combine to form a complex set of cognitive functions that make up analytical abilities.
Step by Step to Focus. Walking can also work wonders for your concentration. Researchers at the University of Arizona found that walking for 15 minutes before a challenging task improves focus, especially for individuals with chronic stress and anxiety. The principle remains the same: oxygen is delivered, the neurotrophic BDNF factor is released, new neurons are formed, synaptic plasticity is enhanced, and brain signal transmission improves. Individuals feel more rested and focused after walking. It becomes easier for them to absorb and process large amounts of information and maintain focus on something for an extended period.
Thus, we have examined the influence of walking on three specific skills: creativity, analytical abilities, and concentration. The aforementioned and other studies demonstrate that the influence of walking activity on human cognitive functions is undeniable. But how strong is this connection now, in 2024?
In 2024, we conducted a study involving a survey of 200 individuals regarding their creative abilities, analytical skills, and concentration skills. Respondents were also asked to report their average daily step count.
– The question asking them to evaluate their creative abilities included the following answer options: «Very good», «Good», «Average», «Poor», and «Very poor». Individuals taking 5,000 to 10,000 steps (or more) daily most often rated their creative abilities as «Good» (56 %) and «Very good» (20 %). Individuals taking less than 5,000 steps mostly chose the option «Average» or «Poor».
– The question about analytical abilities offered the same answer options. Individuals taking at least 5,000 steps daily were more likely to rate their analytical abilities as «Good» (60 %). Interestingly, 90 % of people walking 10,000–15,000 steps or more rated them as «Very good». Among those taking less than 5,000 steps daily, the most popular option remained «Average».
– The question about concentration asked respondents to agree or disagree with the statement «I find it difficult to absorb large amounts of information and concentrate on something for a long time». 61 % of people who answered «Yes» walk less than 5,000 steps daily, while 72 % of people who answered «No» walk 5,000–10,000 steps or 10,000–15,000 steps daily.
The survey also showed a correlation between stress levels and walking. People who walk daily experience less stress and anxiety than those who don't walk regularly or walk very little.
Conclusion
Walking demonstrably influences human cognitive functions. It enhances creativity, analytical abilities, concentration, and other thought processes. This is particularly relevant today, given the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles, car-dependent transportation, and online professions.
References:
- Arthur Schopenhauer. The Complete Works of Arthur Schopenhauer. (Brockhaus, 1910). Vol. 4, P. 552.
- May Wong: Gauging creative thinking [online source]. (2014). URL: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2014/04/walking-vs-sitting-042414 (Date of viewing: 02.07.2024.)
- Olivia Fox Cabane & Judah Pollack. The Net and The Butterfly: The Art and Practice of Breakthrough Thinking. (2017). — P. 344.
- Roshini Nair — CBC News: Walking can reduce memory loss [online source]. (2016). URL: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/walking-can-reduce-memory-loss-in-seniors-study-says-1.3822020 (Date of viewing: 06.07.2024.)
- Motaz Omarien: The impacts of walking on the improvement of learning. (2017). URL: https://www.arizona.edu/ (Date of viewing: 10.07.2024.)
