Scientists find humans prefer walking anticlockwise, reason unclear
6 reported2 unconfirmed
Researchers at the University of Navarra in Spain have discovered that people have a natural tendency to walk in an anticlockwise direction, according to a study published in Nature Communications. The finding emerged serendipitously during pandemic-era experiments on crowd spacing, when researchers noticed crowds overwhelmingly walked anticlockwise. Subsequent tests with individuals and small groups in enclosed spaces consistently showed the same bias, which was also observed in Japan by researchers at the University of Tokyo. The bias was more pronounced in children and held regardless of handedness, footedness, or eye dominance. Scientists have not identified the cause, but have ruled out cultural norms and tested biomechanical explanations without success. The discovery could improve crowd and evacuation simulations and inform the design of public spaces.
What’s reported
The study was led by Dr Iñaki Echeverría Huarte at the University of Navarra in Spain.
The finding was first noticed during pandemic experiments on safe distancing in crowds.
The same anticlockwise bias was found in Japan by Dr Claudio Feliciani at the University of Tokyo.
The bias was more pronounced in children and was seen in both male and female walkers.
The results are published in Nature Communications.
Researchers have tested biomechanical explanations but the exact mechanism remains unknown.
Open questions
Why humans have a natural tendency to walk anticlockwise.
Whether the bias is biomechanical, neurological, or related to other factors.
Key figures
Dr Iñaki Echeverría Huarte, University of Navarra, Spain
Dr Claudio Feliciani, University of Tokyo, Japan
Prof Gareth Irwin, head of sport and exercise biomechanics at Cardiff Metropolitan University
Sources: The Guardian
