According to a recent study, people who walk backward do better in memory tests than those who stand still or walk forward. Researchers had 114 volunteers watch a video in which a woman’s bag was robbed and then complete a survey. Then they had to fill out a questionnaire about what they remembered. After watching the film, the participants were divided into two classes, one of which was instructed to walk forward and the other to walk backward or 30 feet (10 meters) backward as a control group stood still. After that, they were asked twenty questions about what happened in the video, and it was discovered that the backward-walking group got more correct answers than the forward-walking and non-walking groups.
Those who walked backwards, got the most correct answers in all scenarios. The researchers concluded that this was a statistically significant experiment and that a connection between the concepts of “time” and “space” is critical to how our minds shape memories. Further studies should shed light on why motion improves our access to memories, as well as how to use it to our advantage.
