Effects of arm swing on single-step balance recovery

• Main Authors: Yi-ChangHuang, 黃一展
• Other Authors: Kuang-You Cheng
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/05588107340197758040

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 體育健康與休閒研究所 === 101 === Injuries caused by falling have become a serious concern in an aging society. Balance recovery techniques are useful not only in preventing falls but also in many sports activities. The step strategy plays an important role especially under violent balance perturbations. However, relatively little is known about the effect of arm swing on stepping balance recovery although considerable arm motions have been observed. To investigate how the arms influence balance recovery, 12 young male adults were released from forward-lean postures with single step balance recovery under arm swing (AS) and arm constrained (AC) conditions. It was found that unconstrained arm motions did allow more time in preparation for taking the step. The actual stepping time and distance could also be lengthened. Furthermore, it seemed that arm swing assisted in body coordination for reducing ground reaction forces and loading rate on the stepping foot. Future studies are required to investigate the optimal strategy for the arms to coordinate with the trunk and lower body in balance recovery.