to venture outside.

Every zombie film you've ever watched is running through your head

and you are faced with one burning question.

Do you trust Snyder and believe that zombies race towards you at great speed

snarling like animals? Or should trust Romero, and believe the

undead will slowly shuffle towards us, groaning.

Does it even matter?

Of course it does. Let's consider a few scenarios...

First up, the morgue zombie.

This zombie has been dead for at least 12 hours before re-animation occurs.

The corpse's muscle membranes have started to contract causing Rigor Mortis. The

corpse is stiff.

A leisurely walk should be enough to outrun this zombie.

But what about the zombie that bursts from the grave?

It's been dead for longer than 72 hours, which means that

Rigor Mortis has long gone.

Don't panic! The living microorganisms and bacteria have started to breakdown the dead

cells including the muscles. Even if this zombie was somehow able to use his

leg to push off without his ankle snapping then there's a strong chance he'll fall apart

with the impact of a run.

But before you breath a sigh of relief, there's one last possibility to explore.

What happens if 're-animation' occurs immediately after an infection? This one could

run, right?

Its muscles are intact and could spring into action.

Luckily, we're forgetting one crucial point - deterioration of the brain. The brain is

still functioning, but the classic zombie traits; aggression, memory loss,

hunger regulation,

unable to feel pain etc, indicate

that the cerebellum is affected too, resulting in uncoordinated movements

and wait for it . . .

a lumbering walk.

So surely that proves it,

zombies can't run.

Keep your bike in good shape and your sword handy

they'll be coming - but it looks like they'll be coming slowly.

Or will they

Disclaimer. We cannot ensure the above information is correct until the

apocalypse comes.