The Effect of Removal Arm Swing on 3-Dimentional Body Center of Mass Displacement during Gait

Since the effect of immobilization of the upper limb, despite its importance, is usually neglected in the analysis of gait, the purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of removal upper limb arm swing on 3-dimentional (3D) body center of mass displacement during gait.

20 healthy women were asked to walk at normal speed in two conditions of normal upper extremity arm swing. The location of body mass center was determined by force plate, and then the data were analyzed using statistical descriptive, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, and paired t tests (P < 0.0.5).

Except for displacement in the vertical plate (P = 0.04), the center of mass in the anterior-posterior (P = 0.30) and lateral planes (P = 0.08) showed no significant displacement.

Reducing arm swing during walking can increase the vertical displacement of the center of mass, and the magnitude of the force exerted from the ground. Sport and rehabilitation clinicians should consider this statement.