Why do people swing their arms when they walk? It doesn't make them walk any faster!?

Answer 1

This balances the dynamic forces while they walk helping them to walk in a straight line. If you don't swing your arms when you walk, you'll tend to swivel left and right as you go along. Put your hands deep in your pockets and try walking briskly - see what happens.

Answer 2

It does not make them walk faster but it help us to balance ourselves when we walk.. that is why when we run, we swing our arms and not fall down... it is not a natural reflex, it is to keep us balance... try walking without swinging your arms.. you will feel weird and aware that you are walking like a block of wood...

Answer 3

I think some people are trained to walk like that and it could be in the nervous system already or it could be a mannerism. You'd look like a robot if you walk with straight arms anyway.

Answer 4

it does make them walk faster. you try walking w/o swing your arms.

it is sort of a reflex action of keeping the body balanced when you are walking.

Answer 5

for balance, i suppose...just for fun, the next time you are somewhere like a mall, swing your arms WITH your legs instead of against them...people look at you as though there is something wrong with you and they aren't quite sure what it is.

Answer 6

Balance.

Answer 7

Lies!!! Swinging my arms forward helps me drag my body forward faster. Besides, you need to help use them to pull your body and you can make your body more aerodynamic.

Answer 8

Those people must use to marching in the parade. LOL. This to clear any thing in front. Just like blind people swing their stick.

Answer 9

Its just a habbit that all ppl have and if you want to avoid it then just all ways stick your hands in your pant's and that won't happen to you.

Answer 10

Swinging of their arms is due to momentum.

I think its human mechanics.