Final answer:
Arm swing while running or walking aids in balance and stability by counterbalancing leg motion, reducing torso rotation, and contributing to a coordinated and efficient gait.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physiological benefit and purpose of arm swing while running/walking are closely linked to the coordination and balance these movements bring to bipedal locomotion.
When we walk or run, muscles contract, causing bones to move, and the proximity of most skeletal muscles to joints allows for speed and agility due to small muscle contractions producing large limb movements.
The carrying angle of the arms, which is the lateral deviation of the forearm from a straight line when extended, particularly aids in arm swing by permitting the arms to swing without hitting the hips, aiding in balance during movement.
This arm swinging helps to counterbalance the motion of the legs, providing stability and reducing the torso rotation that would otherwise occur.
Another physiological process is the increase in muscular endurance and cardiovascular health that comes from aerobic exercises like running, which utilize arm swings.
Coordinating the action of muscle groups during such aerobic activity is crucial for maintaining balance and ensuring an efficient gait.