Why do we fall forward when walking and rotating?

[Erunanethiel]

When we push off with with our foot on the ground and accelerate, why do we fall forward and catch ourselves with our swinging leg, while when push forward the inertia of our body must actually tilt it backwards, how do we fall to the front?

 

[FactChecker]

I'm no expert in the mechanics of walking, but remember that when you move your foot forward in the air, gravity wants to pull it down and creates a torque in favor of leaning you forward. To see that part in action, just stand on one foot and stick the other out front; see if you can stay balanced. Then when your front foot hits the ground, it is natural to take a step forward to straighten back up. The timing of it all is critical.

 

[russ_watters]

When we push off with with our foot on the ground and accelerate, why do we fall forward and catch ourselves with our swinging leg, while when push forward the inertia of our body must actually tilt it backwards, how do we fall to the front?

You aren't pushing below your center of gravity because your foot has to support the entire weight of your body, so the force is mostly upwards. You're more falling forward than being pushed forward.

 

[A.T.]

while when push forward the inertia of our body must actually tilt it backwards

The pushing leg is behind the center of mass, so it's vertical component creates a moment rotating the body forward.

 

[Erunanethiel]

The pushing leg is behind the center of mass, so it's vertical component creates a moment rotating the body forward.

I think that's the answer as well