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. 2025 Mar 25;17(3):e81210.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.81210. eCollection 2025 Mar.

Relationship Between Arm Swing Angles and Intervertebral Spinal Rotation Angles During Treadmill Walking

Tsubasa Yamaguchi  1 , Eizaburo Suzuki  1 , Hiroshi Katoh  1
Affiliations

Relationship Between Arm Swing Angles and Intervertebral Spinal Rotation Angles During Treadmill Walking

Tsubasa Yamaguchi et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction Arm swing during walking plays an important role in reducing energy expenditure and enhancing motor control. Arm swing has been traditionally considered to occur due to passive factors associated with spinal rotational movements. However, the relationship between arm swing angles and rotational angles at each spinal level remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between arm swing angles and spinal rotation angles at each level. Methods A total of 21 young, healthy males were included in this study. Measurements were performed during steady-state walking on a treadmill (Split R, SENSTYLE Ltd., Kumamoto, Japan) at a controlled speed. The spine was divided into four levels using a three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON MX-T, Vicon Motion Systems Ltd., Oxford, UK): upper thoracic (T1-T7), lower thoracic (T7-L1), upper lumbar (L1-L3), and lower lumbar (L3-S). The system calculated the horizontal plane rotation angles at these levels during one gait cycle and the sagittal plane rotation angles of the lateral epicondyles of the left and right upper arms as arm swing angles. Statistical analysis was performed to compare differences in arm swing angles between the left and right arms and in rotation angles between the spinal levels. Additionally, correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between arm swing angles and spinal rotation angles at each level. Results The left arm swing angle was significantly greater than the right arm swing angle. The rotation angle at the T1-T7 level was the lowest among all levels. Additionally, the analysis of the relationship between arm swing angles and spinal rotation angles revealed that the left arm swing angle was significantly positively correlated with the L3-S angle. Conclusions Although the lower lumbar vertebrae influence left arm swing during steady-state walking, arm swing is not entirely dependent on the rotational movement of the entire spine and may be influenced by multiple other factors.

Keywords: arm swing angle; asymmetry; motion analysis; treadmill walking; vertebral rotation angle.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences Ethics Committee issued approval 2308-17. Form No.3 Ethics Review Result Notification Date: August 25, 2023 Researcher: Mr. Tsubasa Yamaguchi Chairman Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences Ethics Committee Title: Adaptive response to asymmetrical gait on a treadmill After reviewing the matter, our committee has reached the following judgment following Article 13 of the Ethics Review Regulations of Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences Judgment Result: Approved (Approval No: 2308 – 17) (Approval Date: August 25, 2023). Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Diagram illustrating the study’s inclusion criteria
Figure 2
Figure 2. Measurement environment
The treadmill was at the center of the measurement room. Fifteen cameras were mounted on the ceiling, whereas one camera was placed on the floor to ensure precise data collection. The fifteen cameras were positioned 3 meters above the floor in a 360° arrangement, and the single camera was placed at a height of approximately 1.3 meters. This image features one element sourced from silhouetteAC [15], which is free of copyright, along with another element designed using 3D animation software (Poser12, Bondware Inc., TN, USA). Image Credits: Tsubasa Yamaguchi.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Placement of the T-shaped plates
T1: the spinous process one level below the maximum prominence when the neck is flexed. T7: the midpoint of the line connecting the inferior angles of both scapulae. L1: the spinous process two levels above the L3 spinous process. L3: the spinous process one level above the L4 spinous process, identified from the midpoint of Jacoby’s line (L4/L5 interval). S: the midpoint of the line connecting the posterior superior iliac spines. Lateral epicondyle: the most prominent bony protuberance on the lateral aspect of the distal humerus. The image was created using Poser 12. Image Credits: Tsubasa Yamaguchi.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Relationship between the left arm swing angle and the L3–S angle
*p < 0.05. r = 0.50.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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