Active Arm Swing During Running Improves Rotational Stability of the Upper Body and Metabolic Energy Efficiency.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The kinematic benefits of arm swing during running for upper body stability have been previously investigated, while its role in metabolic energy efficiency remains controversial. To address this, this study aimed to test the hypothesis that active arm swing during running reduces both torso angular motion around the longitudinal axis and metabolic energy consumption.

Methods

We employed forward dynamics musculoskeletal running simulations with different arm conditions to investigate the hypothesis. Full-body musculoskeletal running models, incorporating 150 muscles, were developed using artificial neural network-based running controllers. Three arm conditions were simulated using the running models and controllers: active arm swing, passive arm swing, and fixed arms

SUBMITTER: Koo YJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11929735 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature