Development of Independent Walking in Toddlers

In Brief Surprisingly, despite millions of years of bipedal walking evolution, the gravity-related pendulum mechanism of walking does not seem to be implemented at the onset of independent walking, requiring each toddler to develop it. We discuss the precursor of the mature locomotor pattern in infants as an optimal starting point strategy for gait maturation. We argue that the pendulum mechanism of walking may not be innate, but is learned through walking experience.