Locomotive movements refer to the various ways our bodies can move from place to place for transportation and physical activity. Engaging in a variety of these movements provides exercise and helps ensure we stay mobile and independent as we age.
In this article, we’ll look at different examples of locomotive movement, its benefits, and the difference between locomotor and non-locomotor movements.
What Is Locomotive Movement?
Locomotive movement refers to the ability to move from place to place. It enables us and other animals to explore the environment, find food and mates, and avoid predators.
Locomotive Movement Examples
For humans, locomotor movements include walking, running, jumping, crawling, climbing, and swimming.
Walking
Walking involves moving your legs in an alternating fashion to propel yourself forward. One leg moves forward while the other leg supports your weight. Then, the legs alternate and repeat. Walking is a very common way for humans and animals to get around.
Running
Running is a faster version of walking where both feet are briefly off the ground at the same time. Your legs move in a similar alternating fashion but with greater speed and force. Running requires more energy but allows you to cover more distance in less time. Many animals, especially predators, use running to chase down food or evade danger.
Hopping
Hopping involves jumping forward using only one leg at a time. You land on one leg, bend your knee to absorb the impact, and then push off quickly with that leg to jump forward again. Hopping requires a lot of power and balance to propel yourself forward while only having one leg on the ground at a time. Kangaroos and rabbits are well known for hopping as a way to move around.
Leaping
Leaping involves pushing off forcefully with both legs at once to jump up and forward. While in the air, your legs are tucked up under your body. Then, you land on both feet, bend your knees to absorb the impact, and prepare to leap again. Leaping requires a lot of power in your legs to propel you up and forward. Animals like deer, antelope, and mountain goats are adept leapers.
Galloping
Galloping involves a fast four-beat movement. The legs move in pairs, with the front and hind legs on one side moving forward together, followed quickly by the front and hind legs on the other side. This creates a rocking movement that allows the animal to reach high speeds. Horses, zebras, and antelope are animals commonly seen galloping.
Cantering
Cantering is a three-beat movement where one hind leg and the opposite front leg move together, followed by the other hind leg and front leg. This creates a smooth, rolling movement that is faster than a trot but slower than a gallop. Cantering is an efficient way for hoofed animals to travel moderate distances. Horses, zebras, antelope, and deer will canter when not in a hurry.
Swimming
Swimming involves propelling yourself through the water. You make alternating arm strokes in a “freestyle” motion and kick your legs to provide forward thrust. Swimming requires overcoming drag and resistance from the water. Many animals like fish, whales, seals, and penguins have evolved to swim very efficiently. Swimming is a useful way for animals to find food, migrate, or escape predators in aquatic environments.
Flying
Flying is propelling yourself up and forward through the air using wings. Birds, bats, and some insects like butterflies are capable of flying.
Other types of locomotive movements include crawling (on hands and knees), and climbing (using your hands and legs to ascend heights). These movements provide physical and mental benefits when performed regularly.
Benefits of Locomotive Movements for Fitness
These are some of the benefits of locomotive movement for fitness:
Improved Balance and Coordination
Performing locomotive movements, like walking, jogging, jumping jacks, etc. require a great deal of balance and body awareness. The more you practice these movements, the more your balance and coordination improves. This can help reduce the risk of falls and injuries in everyday life and sports.
Increased Bone and Muscle Strength
High-impact exercises like jogging, jumping, and hopping help stimulate bone growth and slow bone loss. They also help build stronger muscles and tendons. Over time, this can lead to improved speed, power, and performance in various activities.
Better Cardiovascular Health
Any activity that elevates your heart rate for an extended period of time provides cardiovascular benefits. Locomotive movements like jogging, running, jumping rope, etc. are excellent for improving heart health. They help lower high blood pressure, improve circulation, and strengthen your heart. A strong, healthy heart and cardiovascular system will give you more energy and endurance for both exercise and daily activities.
Weight Management
Vigorous locomotive movements burn a significant number of calories, which aids weight loss and maintenance. For example, a 125-pound person can burn over 500 calories per hour jogging at a moderate pace. The more you weigh, the more calories you’ll burn. In addition to burning calories during exercise, these types of workouts can boost your metabolism for hours afterward.
Improved Mood
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and boost feel-good hormones like endorphins. Locomotive movements, in particular, have been shown to positively impact mood and mental well-being. Even just 30 minutes a few times a week can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve sleep, and enhance self-confidence.
What is the Difference Between Locomotor and Non-Locomotor Movement
These are some of the differences between locomotor and non-locomotor movement:
Locomotor movements involve a change in location.
Locomotor movements are movements where your body or a body part is transported from one location to another. Examples include walking, running, swimming, crawling, etc. These movements require the contraction of muscles to move your limbs and propel your body forward.
Non-locomotor movements do not involve a change in location.
Non-locomotor movements are movements where your body or a body part changes position or orientation but does not result in transportation to a new location. Examples include bending, twisting, reaching, pushing, pulling, etc. These movements are important for manipulating objects, changing body positions and interacting with the environment.
Locomotor movements require energy to overcome inertia
Locomotive movements require energy to start moving, accelerate and decelerate. They need to overcome inertia to get your body moving, speed it up and slow it down. Non-locomotor movements do not require overcoming inertia since your body remains in the same location.
Locomotor movements often have a rhythmic, cyclical pattern.
Walking, running, swimming, etc., involve the repetition of coordinated movements in a rhythmic, cyclical manner. Non-locomotor movements are often discrete, isolated motions that are not cyclically repeated.
Locomotor movements propel you through space.
The purpose of locomotive movements is to transport your body through space by generating force against the ground or surrounding medium like water or air. Non-locomotor movements manipulate your body and limbs while stationary.
Locomotor movements often require balance and coordination
Locomotive movements like walking on uneven ground or running require a high degree of balance, coordination and body control to navigate effectively and avoid falling over. Non-locomotor movements typically require less balance since your base of support remains fixed.
Locomotor movements can be self-propelled or machine-assisted.
Locomotor movements are either self-propelled through the generation of force by your muscles or machine-assisted using devices like bicycles, cars, scooters, etc. Non-locomotor movements are always self-generated through muscle activity alone.
Conclusion
Locomotor movements offer so many benefits for both physical and mental health. Adding more walking, jogging, jumping, and other high-energy exercises into your routine can help you get into great shape and feel your best.