Why it is not advisable to run with an immobile arm!
Running uses your legs, what have my arms got to do with running? Moreover, why is it ill-advised to not run with an immobile arm? It's hardly revolutionary news that running is a great all -over body work out. Not only is it a great cardio-vascular workout, it's becoming the increasing go to exercise for those who are suffering depression and anxiety and all other Mental Health Conditions.
Running is also a great way to enhance your lower body muscle endurance.
But what has this still go to do with my arms?
Natural arm swing! The image above demonstrates what we call reciprocal gait. Reciprocal gait is the movement of your arms and legs in relation to each other. As our left leg moves, our opposite arm moves, and vice versa. What you may not be aware of is we do this in normal walking gait too.
Not only do our arms move in opposition to our legs when we walk, or indeed run but our shoulders and trunk rotate too. Making running an overall body workout of upper and lower limbs. Take this lady on the treadmill, demonstrating this. The image on the far left shows the right leg striding out, and the left arm moving forward.
It is evident that the left shoulder is forward of the right shoulder too. The crease marks in her lower vest show she is also turning her entire body.
The image on the right, shows the reverse of this. Immobilise the arm and these rotations disappear! Not only that, so does our reciprocal arm movement. Try it. Stand up now. Put your phone on your tablet down. Try and walk up and down your hallway or living room, without moving your arms. Harder than you thought? This time, try a jog without moving your arms. Not only does it feel alien and more difficult than you thought, you will not feel as steady, natural or fluid as you may have thought.
And this can lead to the crux of the problem of having your arm immobilised.
You are at a greater risk of having a fall! Not only that, if you do fall, you are less likely to save yourself by having an already immobilised arm.
When we fall, our natural saving or righting reaction is to place an arm outstretched to protect our head and chest. If our arm is already immobilised in a sling, chances are we have fallen once already and by
continuing to run with an immobilised arm increases the risk of falling further, increasing the risk to you more!
Also try this! Next time you jog to the shops for a few essentials, try jogging home with the shopping bag in your hands. Notice how difficult it is to jog when your arms are restricted of movement. Just remember: running isn't just an activity for the heart, mind, lungs or legs, it requires the arm movement too. It also requires good balance and the ability to see and hear any potential risks. If you were unfortunate enough to stumble, you would want your arms to stretch out and break your fall, bear that in mind if your arm is already in a sling. For more advice and information such as this, be sure to like and follow our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/MikeStampPhysiotherapy
