Arm movements assist human balance maintenance through angular momentum conservation
Arm movements play a vital role in human balance maintenance, as evidenced by studies showing that restricting arm motion compromises postural stability and walking efficiency while active upper-body coordination contributes to momentum and balance control.
The retrieved literature consistently supports the claim that arm movements assist human balance maintenance and postural control, as restricting arm motion consistently leads to degraded stability and increased postural sway or gait deterioration across various populations.
Music HE, Bailey JP, Catena RD. Arm coordination changes correlate with whole-body linear momentum and dynamic walking balance during pregnancy.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2025.113081
Demonstrates that arm coordination and swing changes correlate with whole-body linear momentum and walking balance maintenance.
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Wissmann AM, Hill MW, Muehlbauer T, Lambrich J. Effects of restricted compared to free arms motion during standing and walking at height in healthy adolescents.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-58618-4
Shows that restricting arm motion amplifies gait deteriorations, highlighting the functional importance of arm movements for balance.
Yamikan H, Özgören N, Aritan S, Karcioğlu O, Demirel A. Comparison of spatiotemporal and arm swing characteristics of gait between patients with COPD and healthy controls.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0144.6112
Notes that arm swing characteristics play a key role in maintaining gait stability and energy efficiency.
Lambrich J, Borgmann K, Hill MW, Muehlbauer T. Influence of different arm movement strategies on dynamic balance performance and joint kinematics in healthy young adults.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1688698
Indicates that active engagement of upper body segments and free arm movements are important for dynamic postural control.
Yoon JY, Moon SW. Gait Asymmetry in Arm Swing and Foot Progression Angle of Knee Osteoarthritis.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15145360
Highlights that arm swing plays a major role in balance control and that upper-lower limb coordination is tied to postural stability.
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