Study Reveals Why Men and Women Walk Differently Due to Pelvic Evolution

A new study from Tel Aviv University's Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, published in Scientific Reports on August 26, 2026, explains the evolutionary reasons behind the distinct walking patterns of modern men and women. Contrary to previous beliefs, the research shows that the male pelvis underwent significant evolutionary changes, developing into a biomechanical system that absorbs shocks and stores elastic energy to enhance walking efficiency.

Led by Professor Yoel Rak and in collaboration with experts from the Technion, Bar-Ilan University, and Ono Academic College, the study compared pelvises of Neanderthals, an extinct ancient human species, with those of contemporary humans. Surprisingly, the Neanderthal male pelvis closely resembles that of modern women rather than men. The key evolutionary adaptation in modern males is the forward positioning of the hip joints on the pelvic ring, which allows the front thigh muscles to act like springs, storing and releasing energy with each step. This mechanism provides men with an energy-efficient advantage for long-distance walking.

Additional adaptations in the male pelvis include thickening of the pubic bone and deepening of the pelvic front to support the new mechanical loads. In contrast, female pelvises retained a more ancestral structure due to childbirth constraints, requiring a wider birth canal and shallower pelvis, which prevented adoption of these evolutionary changes.

Professor Ella Ben from Ono Academic College highlighted the study's relevance to biomechanics and musculoskeletal medicine, noting its potential to improve understanding of injury prevention and rehabilitation in modern humans. The research analyzed nearly complete male Neanderthal pelvises from Kebara Cave in Israel and Sima de los Huesos in Spain, comparing them to dozens of modern human pelvises. Neanderthals coexisted with modern humans until about 35,000 years ago, and their pelvic structure was long considered an anomaly until this study revealed that the significant evolutionary shift occurred in modern males.