Texting While Walking Affects Balance

Reading or sending text messages while walking changes a person's balance, according to a latest study.

The study conducted by researchers at the University of Queensland claims that texting on cell phones while walking not only changes the posture but also affects the balance of the person and can cause injuries in some. The study was led by Siobhan Schabrun and it analyzed the change in body movement while walking and texting in 26 healthy subjects as opposed to when they walk normally.

Mobile phones are all pervasive and allow you to stay connected 24/7 and there are some who cannot do without it for a second also. But a few recent studies have focused on how text messages impact our lives.

In the current study, each participant was made to walk at a comfortable pace in a straight line covering 8.5 m. During this they were given three tasks in which they had to walk without using a cell phone, second read a text on a cell phone and last type a text on their mobile phones. During the task the researchers evaluated the participants' body movements using a three dimensional movement analysis system.

They noticed that the body's movement modified while walking if the participant was involved in either texting or a lesser extent reading a text message. The people who were involved in writing a text message walked slower and at times even deviated from the straight line and also moved their neck less than when they were involved in reading.

Though the participants moved their arms and heads with the chest to facilitate texting and reading, it was seen that the movement of the head increased, which had a negative impact on the person's balance system.

Texting or reading on cell phones affects the safety of the pedestrians and also makes navigation difficult.

Dr. Schabrun says, "Texting, and to a lesser extent reading, on your mobile phone affects your ability to walk and balance. This may impact the safety of people who text and walk at the same time."

Texting while driving is equally dangerous. Use of cell phones while driving can cause accidents, which can sometimes be fatal. The rates of accidents due to mobile usage during driving have gone up in recent years. Many countries are considering banning use of cell phones while driving, there are already strict rules and fines in place to restrict their use. Arizona State Senator Steve Farley recently proposed a ban on texting while driving for straight eighth year in a row.

The study was published in the journal PLOS One.