USD School of Education Faculty Member Finds Support for Using Light Weights When Walking
The article, “Examination of Gait Asymmetry During Walking with Additional Arm Weights,” was also co-authored by Lee T. Atkins and C. Roger James.
The study explores whether adding light weights to the arms or waist alters how evenly individuals move their hips, knees and ankles while walking. Researchers found that all participants displayed some left-right differences, particularly at the hip and knee, but adding light arm or waist weights did not worsen these asymmetries. This suggests that using small arm weights is safe and does not negatively impact walking balance.
“Gait symmetry is often assumed in healthy individuals, but functional asymmetries naturally arise from biomechanical and neurophysiological factors,” said Yang. “Our findings show that light upper body loading does not increase lower limb asymmetry, supporting its use for enhancing walking performance.”
Study details include:
- Participants: 22 individuals walked under four conditions — no weight, unilateral arm weight, bilateral arm weights and waist weights.
- Weights: Each condition used 0.45-kg loads.
- Analysis: Three-dimensional joint angles were measured across the gait cycle. Asymmetry was assessed using statistical parametric mapping and effect size metrics.
- Findings: Significant asymmetries were observed across all joints and conditions, with hip and knee differences consistently greater than those at the ankle. Loading produced minimal systematic effects, though individual responses varied.
These results provide new insights into how light upper body loading interacts with gait mechanics and support the safe use of arm weights in walking-based exercise programs.
For more information about research initiatives, visit the USD School of Education’s Division of Kinesiology & Sport Management webpage.
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