Ever Wondered Why Some People Always Walk Fast? Science Explains

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Have you ever noticed people who always walk rapidly, whether in the street or in the office corridor? They have the laptop bag resting on the shoulder as they fix their gaze on the horizon, while they wade through it no matter what. According to science, their brisk gait reveals more than just fitness or timing, but also many clues about their temperament and personality. These small habits can tell us how a person views their life and future.

From research labs to crowded streets, scientists time people’s gait. They note the time in seconds it takes an individual to walk a certain distance, then compare it to the average time for an individual of the same age and sex. It is an incredibly basic question: “Who are these people that walk faster than everyone else?” In one of the most celebrated field studies, observers with concealed stopwatches timed pedestrians in New York, London, and 29 other cities around the world. In cities where people walked faster, there was more economic activity.

In a large study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), scientists followed thousands of people for several years. They found that people who walked faster than average were more extroverted, more forward-thinking, and considered themselves healthier. Surprisingly, they also had a lower risk of all-cause mortality.

In another experiment, participants wore accelerometers that recorded their pace every step. When this data was combined with personality questionnaires, it clearly showed that fast walkers were more ambitious, trustworthy, and “conscious.” They often said they disliked wasting time. Scientists believe this has to do with our “internal clock.” People with a keen sense of time find waiting and idle time unsettling. This uneasiness is reflected in their gait, decisions, and daily habits.

Interestingly, gait not only reflects personality, but can also influence it. In some experiments, people were asked to deliberately walk a little faster. After a few minutes, they felt more alert, decisive, and confident. Some researchers call this “tempo training,” meaning the movement of the body gently signals the brain.