IN THE NEWS (from Paris!): Arm Swinging While Walking

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I read the article with interest because I've spent years monitoring my arm swinging. I do not swing them naturally, until I reach a very fast pace. Typically I have my hands in my pockets, to keep them warm (today is an except as the temperature outside is 102°F).

I noticed that the way I walk is a result of my urge to minimize sensation. I do not want to hear my steps, feel my pants brushing against my legs or my arms against my flank, or anything else. So my movements are very quiet. And that means no arm swinging. At least I think that's what is going on.

When I jogged or ran in gym class in school, my arms pumped like everyone else's. They do have a role to play in breathing and hence metabolic efficiency. I suppose I am just less efficient when walking.

Anyone else looked into why they don't swing their arms?

If I don't have something to carry, I generally walk with my hands in my pockets. It feels awkward to walk with empty hands exposed, at least to me. I'll consciously swing my arms when I'm walking for exercise, though, because I read somewhere that it was good for you.

I sometimes hold my arms down like Gerry from Boston Legal, but only when feeling nervous. As a kid I had to force myself to swing my arms.
It just reminds me of that Seinfeld episode when the woman didn't swing her arms.

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I don't swing my arms. Never have. I don't even swing them when I jog, which gives me a funny gorilla gait.

ok... so... if arm-swinging = energy savings, wouldn't it be a good idea to encourage sedentary people to walk with their arms still?

and wouldn't it be awesome to have "walking breaks" where office buildings hallways are full of people in business attire walking fast with their arms tucked up to keep them still?

straitjacket work-out

I can't swing my arms anymore because I have quite severe spasticity in my shoulders (right side especially) because I have dystonia, but that still doesn't explain why I didn't swing them when I was a kid... Maybe it is because when I was 7 years old I decided how blooming stupid it looked! I always used to hold my arms against my chest tightly with the hands flopped down like a begging dog!

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I have HFA, ADHD, OCD & Tourette syndrome. I love animals, especially my bunnies and hamster. I skate in a roller derby team (but I'll try not to bite )

When I was younger my dad told me to swing my arms when I walked because the other way to walk looked horrible. (I thought: why do I have to do that, it's the legs you walk with and not the arms, right?)
Some of them who bullied me in school also told me to "walk normally", ie. swing my arms. As an answer of my questions to them what I would have to do to be normal, so they wouldn't bully me.
Why, they didn't stop anyway...
But I learned the noble art of armswinging. Now I don't think about it. But if it's cold, I may wrap my arms around me or keep them close to the body instead.

BTW I read about the armswinging-research in the paper yesterday and found it really interesting.

I don't swing my arms when I am walking.

And yet, it's easier and less tiring to walk with swinging arms.
Look how they do in North Europe, for sports: they walk with 2 sticks, one in each hand.
The walk and the breath are more regular and better rythmed that way.