Science behind getting your sea legs
If you’ve ever been on a boat, you’ll know the feeling. So what exactly are “sea legs”?
The ocean is not a solid, stable surface like the ground. It pitches and rolls with waves, currents and tides, which are transmitted straight through to any vessels on the surface. As you’re standing on the deck, you feel these movements through your legs and, depending on their strength, they can be very unsettling. Over time, your body adapts and you become more comfortable with the sensations. This is what is commonly referred to as “getting your sea legs”.
There is some scientific debate over where exactly these metaphorical sea legs exist – are they in your mind or your body? One theory puts them firmly in the brain, which learns how to predict your body’s movement in the new environment. As you start to lose your balance, your inner ears, eyes and other parts of your sensory system are forced to take action to keep you upright. Your brain has to adapt and quickly instruct your nerves to keep you standing up. As it becomes more accustomed to the motion of the ship, your brain becomes more comfortable and you will feel more stable. It is similar to the process of learning to walk when you were a toddler.
Then there’s the other school of thought that says it’s your body’s muscles that have to learn to maintain an upright posture, even in the face of movement. Scientists compare it to the way we learn to ice skate or water ski – we consciously train our muscles to move in such a way that we can stay standing. You can experiment with different ways of moving muscles and joints that will maximise postural stability. These can be things like standing with your legs further apart or focusing on the horizon.
The good news is, whatever part of your body is responsible, you usually get your sea legs within around 36 hours of being onboard. And remember – if you do fall down, the best advice is to get straight back up again!
Where do you stand on the debate around sea legs? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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