In walking, lower limb movements play a major role in generating propulsive force. However, arm swing and trunk movements also have a significant impact on walking stability and energy efficiency. This study focuses on Segment Torque Power (STP), which has been demonstrated to quantify the mechanical power around joints. The purpose of this report is to establish the manner in which upper body movements effects the energy exerted by lower limb. In the experiment, walking movements are measured in healthy participants under two conditions: natural walking and arm swing walking. STP at the shoulder joint, trunk joint, hip joint, and ankle joint was calculated and compared. Consequently, it was confirmed that STP of the upper limb and trunk changed with the intensity of the arm swing movement, and that STP of the pelvis and lower limb increased accordingly. In particular, STP of the thigh and foot during the kicking-process (terminal stance to pre-swing phase) increased, indicating an association with propulsive power. This indicates the existence of a dynamic chain in which upper body power is transmitted to the lower limb via the trunk and pelvis, and that STP analysis is effective in understanding the coupling mechanism between the upper body and lower limb.
OSHITA et al. (Wed,) studied this question.