why do our arms swing when we walk?

Question

It's not for balance is it? because if you deliberatly stop swinging them, you dont go all wobbly

Answer 1

It is for balance.
You are able to maintain balance when you consciously stop swinging ,but you are forced to compensate with increased attention.
the emphasis is on maintaining the centre of gravity between your feet at any given time.


great Q

Answer 2

I really don't know why we swing our arms when we walk but have noticed that men and women swing their arms differently. Men tend to swing their arms pretty much parallel with the direction they're walking. A lot of women tend to swing their arms somewhat in front of them and kind of flair the swing out toward the back.

I suppose I'll get some kickback on this but I think women do this because their hips are wider and it is more difficult for them to swing their arms parallel with the direction of travel.

But, this, of course doesn't answer why we swing our arms when we walk.

Answer 3

It's definitely for balance
once stop swinging you need to consciusly walk with balance

Answer 4

It is because when we swing our leg forward to walk, we are actually forcing one leg forward an one leg back.

Somebody's Law says that for every action there is an equal an opposite reaction.

Forcing one leg forward and the other back means that we are actually creating a "torque" (twisting force) on the lower part of our body.

The equal and opposite reaction is that our upper body experiences a torque in the opposite direction.

We swing our arms (forcing one arm forward and the other back) to create another torque on the upper part of our body (but in the opposite direction - hence right arm and left leg forward), which helps in balancing the torque created by swinging our legs. The net effect is that the middle part of our body (our torso) remains as stable as possible.

If you hold onto a rope with your hands, and suspend yourself off the ground, and create a fast "walking action" with your legs, you will find that the rest of your body will twist back and forth in the opposite direction to your legs. Try it.

Answer 5

BALANCE... maximum balance is obtained when we walk with our arms swinging, but its not just a simple swing, the swing is partially involuntary alternate to the foot i.e left foot forward right arm forward.... walk otherwise-left foot left arm and you will fall (not mentioning you'll be awkward)

well walking with your arms crossed so as to avoid them swaying doesnt make u unbalance coz the weight is on the center of the body and not on either side.

but the maximum balance is better for the body... thats why its partially involuntary.

Answer 6

It is for balance. It keeps the center of movement in the center of your body and hence makes you more stable. Try walking and swinging your left arm when you put your left leg forward and the same on the right. You will feel very unstable.

It is true that you can walk with your hands in your pockets, but you are less stable and more likely to fall...and if you fall with your hands in your pockets you will probably hurt yourself more, as you will find it harder to break your fall.

Answer 7

Mostly because the arms naturally tend to swing when you walk because of your shifting center of gravity and holding them rigidly in place takes effort.

Also, it's probably a relic from when we were quadrupeds or knuckle-walkers. Back then, we used our arms for walking and so they had to move in sync with our legs. We don't use them that way any more but the reflex to move them in sync with our legs still survives.

Answer 8

Well I'm not entirely sure.. so dont quote me...

but i dont think your arms do swing by them self..
when you walk, your body twists which makes your arms (if relaxed) swing back and forth. Try test it yourself, or just look at guys walking about!!

alot of us walk the same (depending on broadness of the body) which has a slight twist (aka - hard-man walk! hehe)

I'm not sure, but that's what i would guess :)

Answer 9

bones of our arms are working on the principal of hinge lever similer to the door , and during the movment of body , the mommentum of hands result in the swinging actions

Answer 10

Mine don't. I would assume it is part of the human gait or walk, unconscious part. Like when we run we lift out arms up and close the hands.

Humans are actually upright tetrapods. That is easy enough to see. All you gotta do is look at gorilla and chimps. Perhaps it is a throw back to our more primitive ancestors behavior.