Do short people tire more easily?

[dottydodah]

I am 5ft 0 ins ,defo feel when walking I feel more tired than my taller friend.I am taking more steps to cover the same amount of ground .Does anyone else notice this? YABU of course it doesnt matter about your height .YANBU Shorter people feel more tired as have to walk more sreps

We have to take more steps, but we also have less bulk to lug around. But then we also have to eat a lot less than the average recommended to maintain a healthy weight, which kind of balances that out a bit. We need less energy, so we take in less energy, but need to do more movement and work to achieve the same physical things as others who are taller.

I think we do tire more easily, not just walking though. Being shorter than average in a society built for average means we're doing ever so slightly more work every time we have to reach for something, carry something large, push a shopping trolley etc etc and then of course take more steps whilst walking. I think maybe it's lots of small things that build up.

It makes sense. But do short people live longer? Anecdotal but I get the impression they do.

Interesting question! It sounds logical. Somebody has done some research on this and it sounds like your theory is right:

blog.smu.edu/research/2010/11/17/discovery-news-why-walking-is-harder-for-smaller-people/#:~:text=The%20reason%20smaller%20people%20use,same%20steps%20as%20taller%20people.

The only time that being small was much of a practical disadvantage for walking was on DoE when minimal kit still weighed more than the supposed 25% bodyweight guideline. I was carrying 3 stones rather than 2 in an ill-fitting rucksack.
When women's fit became avaliable to me some years later, it was a game changer.

The other time I struggled was a fitness issue after a rough, SPD pregnancy, and tough birth that aggravated it. When my pelvis was recovered enough to stop limping, I was still out of breath easily so took up C25k to improve my general fitness..

DH is tall and no slouch at walking pace, so I have a brisk walk keeping up with him.

I spend most of my time out and about wondering why most people bimble around so slowly as most are taller than me. I find slowly bimbling around town much more draining and heavy on my joints than a purposeful walk.

Surely for walking it depends on leg length. I am fairly short but have long legs. I have a very short body. I can and do walk very long distances.

Im 4`11 cant say i do tire more.

I think short people have an easier time in old age. My father is incredibly tall. His risk of falling and the damage done when he has had a fall are far greater because of this.

Is that because they haven't as far to fall @Genevieva ?

I don’t know. I think balance issues might be worse in longer bodies as people get old and unsteady. I also think he’s got further to pump his blood up his body and that this might contribute to balance problems.

It seems that way. People who are short and slim live longer than others.

Interesting! I am pleased I am not the only one to notice this .dizzydizzydizzy good article .lots there to back me up .short legs too!

Kylie Minogue looks v energetic

I am above average height at 5 foot six but have very short legs. Does this mean I get the worst of both worlds?

I'm 4'10 , I'm tired because my sleep is shit but I don't struggle on walks, or running.
But I hate a lot of aspects of being much shorter than average!

Tall.people die earlier

My friend is 5 foot nothing and an ultramarathoner. She is a machine, amazing woman. My 5'6" self could only dream of running a casual 50km on a Sunday afternoon like she does. She's speedy as heck too, she has to slow down when running when me.

Apparently short people are more likely to have heart disease, but tall people are more likely to get cancer.

I’m 5ft 1.5

I Don’t get more tired than my 6ft husband who is also 10 years younger than me.

I have completed solo long distance hikes, carrying all my gear. I can out hike/climb taller people all the time.

So I don’t think there is anything in it!

More steps but less weight to be shifting

indeed if you compare women to men, women who tend to be shorter then man also have better endurance suggesting they get less tired as a whole

I think it differs between people. I’m 5’2” and easily out walk all my much taller, younger and bigger colleagues and still have more energy to do to two hours of exercise after work. They are much better than me at sitting still and not fidgeting and paying attention in meetings - I’m a nightmare apparently!

The world is built for average height so I reckon shorter people have to stretch to reach things or walk faster so I can see it could be more tiring. The other end is taller people have to stoop more so get more aches and pains, which time probably means poorer sleep. Using cash machine, self service till etc, all too low if you’re tall. Endless effort to find longer clothing (you can have long trousers made shorter but not short trousers made longer). I agree that older taller people must fall more.

My very short friend has to run to keep up when out walking with taller friends so I could well believe she’s more tired by it.

Apparently they do - it's why you only ever see 'little old ladies' 😁

It must be like riding a bike in too high a gear - you've pedalled a mile but only gone 100 metres. 😂

I'm 5.1 and have more energy than most of my taller friends. They also all carry more weight than I do.
When I was a kid I remember literally trotting to keep up with adults though!

I still have to trot now if I'm walking with my DH, I'm short with short legs, he's tall with long legs. I don't need to take up jogging!