Why Do We Swing Our Arms While Walking? - Science ABC

The biomechanical engineers from the University of Michigan found that swinging our arms is a part of the process of walking on two limbs. They discovered that walking while swinging your hands is the most economical form of motion. Arm swinging requires little effort from the muscles and is not muscle-driven.

It’s a pretty slow day at work and you are terribly bored, so you decide to take a stroll outside.  In order to kill the apparent boredom, you begin observing things around you. Within a few moments of watching people walk past, a random thought pops up in your head – why does everyone feel compelled to swing their arms while walking, even when it’s not really required? In order to confirm your confusion, you try to walk a few steps without moving your big arms.

Cool cat approves!
Cool cat approves!

Surprisingly, you realize that you can do it quite easily, as long as you are concentrating on keeping your arms still. As soon as you start walking unconsciously, letting your mind wander to other things, you will find yourself back in the arm-swinging routine.

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