How Backwards Walking Could Enhance Memory

Have you ever wondered why so many tour guides who walk backward (those at museums, campuses, or art centers) are so great at recalling all of the data and stats? Surprisingly enough, their manner of walking is the leading cause of their great memory. According to new studies, reverse movement is linked with better recollection. If you want to put this theory to the test,next time you lose something, try retracing your movements in reverse or at least picturing doing so.

Below is a brief analysis to understand how walking in reverse works to boost memory.

The Science

Recently, participants in a study were required to remember details of a planned crime they had experienced, a collection of images, or a word list they had examined. It was noted that individuals who walked backwards or imagined that they were walking backwards had an easier time recalling these details.

Even watching a train move in reverse was enough to help them have a better memory than those who participated in a type of forward motion. The reverse movement was fruitful with all three forms of memory recollection for close to ten minutes.

Factors in Play

Researchers suspect that various factors are involved when it comes to utilizing backwards motion to help the brain remember details. 

Aleksandar Aksentijevic, the study author, points out that the facilitation is possibly coming from some combination of motor schemas and general space-time, which prime the mind to go back in time. Since witnessing or picturing reverse movement has proven as effective as the backwards motion on memory recollection, it is not necessary to imitate your previous moves in reverse.

Great memory can come in handy when keeping track of your fitness progress and stats or if you’re trying to recall the details of a fitness product you saw on 120kgs.net. By merely imaging the reverse movement, you still get the same benefits while staying safe since you’re more likely to trip when walking backward.

Further Studies

The researchers wish to determine, with more studies, if backwards motion could assist the elderly in reducing the cases of memory lapses. They also want to know whether the method can help the youth stay mentally sharp as they age. Research in long-term and short-term memory is already underway to determine the effectiveness of the technique.

Aleksandar says that they have completed an experiment that proves that the way we organize long-term memory records aligns with the direction of the perceived action. He goes ahead to explain that this means that there appears to be two diverse mechanisms underpinning long and short-term memories. Aleksandar concludes by saying that they are planning means of examining their experiment in more detail.

Conclusion

It’s a bit early for studies to conclude for certain if imaginary or real backward action will assist in memory recollection. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t try it for yourself and share your findings with others. There is no harm in self-examination, but make sure that you have an area where you can safely perform your backwards motion to avoid getting injured. After all, they do say that experience is the best teacher.