: why do we instinctively sway our arms while walking?
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It actually helps us use _less_ energy while we walk:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-arms/scientists-find-a-reason-for-arm-swinging-as-you-walk-idUSTRE56S15L20090729
Swinging arms in an opposing direction with respect to the lower limb reduces the angular momentum of the body, balancing the rotational motion produced during walking. This puts less stress on our leg muscles to maintain momentum and balance, which reduces overall energy expenditure.
Counterbalancing.
When you take a step, the driving force is on that side.
You naturally move the other side of your body to compensate, in order to maintain balance.
That’s why it also feels so awkward to flip which arm is moved where (usually, you love your left hand together with your right foot, and vice versa).
Because not only are you not compensating, you’re actually “making it worse”
To move a heavy leg forward, you have to bend your core or move another part of your body on the opposite side as a counterbalance. Look how walking birds jerk their heads. We happily move our hands.
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