Perceiving intimidation through kinematic cues in men’s gait

Male intrasexual competition has shaped the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits, influencing both physical and cognitive mechanisms for assessing physical dominance and formidability. While previous research has examined static visual cues such as height and upper body musculature to male formidability, the role of dynamic cues remains underexplored. We used 3D motion capture to investigate biomechanical markers that drive perceptions of male physical dominance. Fifty-two male participants’ walking gaits were recorded, and their upper-body strength, anthropometric measures, and self-reported aggression were assessed. A separate group of 137 raters evaluated the dominance of these walking patterns. Results revealed that one dynamic cue, lateral torso oscillation (sway) and one postural cue, shoulder abduction, were correlated with physical dominance as well as with anthropometric measures (e.g., height, chest size) and trait aggression scores. A linear mixed-effects model demonstrated that sway, shoulder abduction and body size/strength all contributed independently to predicting physical dominance, suggesting that gait dynamics provide robust social signals beyond static morphology. These findings highlight the adaptive significance of human locomotion in competitive social interactions. Future research should investigate the potential for a trade-off between static and dynamic cues to dominance, particularly in situations where static cues might be obscured.