08/26/2025
Bipedalism itself isn’t innately efficient - but the way the human body is built makes it remarkably so.
From the angles of our joints to the length of our legs, from the mobility of our pelvis/spine to the adaptability of the feet, our structure is fine-tuned for efficient gait.
One of the biggest contributors to this efficiency is our connective tissue’s ability to store and release elastic energy as we move.
Many muscles we assume are driving movement, like the hip flexors, hip extensors, or plantarflexors are often less active than we might expect.
In fact, they’re frequently active in their opposite role, helping to tension connective tissue so it can act like a loaded spring, ready to recoil.
This storage-and-release mechanism means we can walk with surprisingly little muscular effort. Of course, when we walk uphill, downhill, or at a much faster pace, muscular demand increases. But when we’re moving on flat ground, at a pace and rhythm that suit our body, we can tap into a natural, almost effortless stride, powered in large part by our fascial system.
Next time you go for a walk, experiment: find your own rhythm, notice how your body settles into it, and see if you can feel that subtle fascial recoil carrying you forward.
Movement is medicine
Tom
