Effects of arm swing on walking abilities in healthy adults restricted in the Wernicke-Mann's limb position.
Akiyoshi Takami, Shuit Cavan, Misato Makino
PMID 32884170WHAT IT FOUND
Restricting one or both arms reduced walking speed and stride length in healthy adults.
However, swinging both arms as much as possible while one arm was restricted restored speed and stride to normal levels, suggesting maximum arm swing can compensate for limited upper limb movement.
Key findings
01Walking speed and stride length were significantly lower when one or both arms were restricted compared to normal walking.
02Swinging both arms to the maximum while one arm was restricted resulted in no significant difference in speed, stride length, or cadence compared to normal walking.
03Most participants found walking with both arms restricted the most difficult, and maximum arm swing the easiest.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study used healthy adults, so results may not directly apply to patients with disabilities. Participants were instructed to walk at maximum speed, but unconscious changes in effort or speed could have occurred. The sample size was small (n=20). The simulation of hemiplegia (using slings/straps) does not fully replicate the complex motor impairments seen in stroke patients.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest to disclose.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that swinging both arms maximally will improve walking in patients with actual hemiplegia. This study tested healthy adults simulating one-arm restriction, not patients with neurological impairments, so the effect in clinical populations is unknown.