SP0406 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Biomechanics Dr Su Stewart Semester 2 Lecture 5 Centre of Gravity and Segmental Analysis

Contact details: su.stewart@northumbria.ac.uk

Gravity

Gravitation, or gravity, is the natural phenomenon by which physical bodies appear to attract each other with a force proportional to their masses. It gives apparent weight to objects with mass and causes them to fall, or accelerate towards, the ground when dropped. The phenomenon of gravitation is most accurately described by the general theory of relativity by Einstein, in which the phenomenon itself is a consequence of the curvature of space-time governing the motion of inertial objects. The simpler Newtons theory of universal gravitation provides an accurate approximation for most physical situations including calculations as critical as spacecraft trajectory

Equivalence principle
The equivalence principle, explored by a succession of researchers including Galileo, Lorand and Eotvos, and Einstein, expresses the idea that all objects fall at the same rate. If two objects of different masses or compositions are dropped in a vacuum, they will hit the ground at the same time. All objects fall at the same rate (acceleration) when friction (including air resistance) is negligible.

Centre of Gravity

The centre of gravity (CofG) is the theoretical point about which all particles of the body are evenly distributed Determination of Centre of Gravity of regular shapes Determination of C of G by balance points Determination of C of G by suspension

Units of measure

Length Time Mass Weight

- metres (m) - seconds (s) - kilograms (kg) - newtons (N)

Mass is measure of inertia Weight is measure of gravity acting on object

Centre of Mass or Gravity?

Centre of Gravity

The C of G and centre of mass are often used interchangeably difference between mass and weight Centre of gravity is: the point in a body or system of bodies around which its mass or weight is evenly distributed (McGinnis, 2005) Centre of mass is: the point in a body or system of bodies around which the entire mass may be assumed to be concentrated. (McGinnis, 2005)

Centre of Gravity of the Human Body

Body not rigid The human body is not only irregular but also changes shape can be calculated by experimentation: balance board, reaction board, video, pendulum C of G affected by body composition and somatotype C of G normally lies at 57% of height in males and 55% in females C of G depends on position of limbs C of G located at sacral promontory, anterior to S2 (PSIS), at 55% of body height

Centre of Gravity in Human Movement

C of G can move outside the body:

Role of C of G in Balance
Balance / Stability is affected by The position of the C of G relative to the base of support The height of the centre of gravity above/below the base of support The distribution of the parts of the body The mass of the various parts of the body

Role of the C of G in Flight

Sport frequently requires the projection of the body into the air Changes in segmental relative position does not affect the locus of the C of G Some sporting activities exploit the relative location of the C of G Segmental position can alter whole body position relative to the C of G

Role of C of G in Rotation

If force is aligned causes linear translation or displacement If force is offset causes rotation (spin) Rotation occurs about the C of G The greater the spread of weight the slower the rotation the moment of inertia

FBDs and the Line of Gravity

The line of gravity is an imaginary line extending from the centre of mass vertically down to the ground

Why calculate the centre of gravity?

Moments
A moment is a turning force It can also be called torque It is the product of the force applied normal to a lever, and the length of the lever measured in Nm (Force x radius)

radius
Axis of rotation

Static Equilibrium
For an object to be balanced, its mass must be evenly distributed about its support or base:

F1 x d1 = F2 x d2

F1

d1

d2

F2

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Segmental Analysis
Based on the concept that since the body is composed of individual segments (each with an individual CofG), location of the total body CofG is a function of the locations of the respective segmental CofGs Uses data for normative locations of body segment CofM as measured from the distal end of the segment, as a % of the length of the segment normative mass of each segment as a % of the total mass of the whole body

The Segmental Method for the calculation of the C of mass

The process of calculating the location of the total body centre of mass through considering the body as a mechanical segmented model. The process of considering the body in static equilibrium where the sum of the moments = 0

The normative data for body segments

Centre of mass/ Segment Length

Body Segment
Foot Lower leg (shank)

Proximal 0.5 0.433

Distal 0.5 0.567

Segment mass (% body mass) 1.45 4.65

Thigh
Trunk + neck + head Upper arm Forearm + hand

0.433
0.66 0.436 0.682

0.567
0.34 0.564 0.318

10
57.8 2.8 2.2

(adapted from Winter, 1990)

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Calculating the mass and position of the C of M of lower leg

If a = 0.5 m, b = ? normative distance is 0.433% b = 0.433 x 0.5 b = 0.216m If whole body is 65kg normative mass is 4.65% The mass of the lower leg is therefor (4.65/100)*65 = 3.022kg
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b a

Segmental Analysis
Need to find X and Y coordinates of CofM: Xcofg = (xs)(ms) / ms Ycofg = (ys)(ms) / ms

Calculating C of M in a Multiple Segmental System

y-axis

(x3,y3)

Assume body mass = 80kg Calculate segment masses:

Foot = (1.45/100) x 80 = 1.16kg Shank = (4.65/100) x 80 = 3.72kg Thigh = (10.0/100) x 80 = 8.0kg

(x0,y0)
(x2,y2)

(x1,y1) x-axis

Calculating the segmental centres of mass

Co-ordinates of the landmarks (segment ends) Landmark toe Ankle Knee Hip (greater trochanter)

x-position (m) 0.0753 0.0931 0.4100 0.4494

y-position (m) 0.0935 0.2144 0.4053 0.7858

Foot: x1 = 0.0931+(0.0753-0.0931)*0.5 y1 = 0.2144+(0.0935-0.2144)*0.5 Shank: x2 = 0.4100+(0.0931-0.4100)*0.433 y2 = 0.4053+(0.2144-0.4053)*0.433 Thigh: x3 = 0.4494+(0.4100-0.4494)*0.433 y3 = 0.7858+(0.4740-0.7858)*0.433

= 0.084m = 0.154m = 0.273m = 0.323m = 0.432m = 0.651m

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Calculating C of G in multiple segment system (cont)

Find C of M of total leg: Mass of limb = m1+m2+m3 = 1.16+2.72+8.0 = 11.88kg Centre of mass of limb:

x0 y0

1.16 * 0.084 2.72 * 0.273 8.0 * 0.432 0.362

11.88

1.16 * 0.154 2.72 * 0.323 8.0 * 0.651 0.527

11.88
Total system centre of mass coordinates = (0.362, 0.527)

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Errors in centre of mass calculations

Data clarity frame rate, definition Spatial model Positioning of anatomical markers Estimation of joint centres Digitising accuracy Estimating joint centres out of field of view, foreshortening Normative data for distances to segmental C of M Normative data for segmental mass Computational errors

Segmental definition errors

Normative data for distances to segmental C of M Normative data for segmental mass

Errors in normative data

Limited number of cadavers Cadavers all male Cadavers mesomorphic marines Measurements of mass untrustworthy Definition of segments varies Difficulty dissecting out segments No children Segments not evenly dense Trunk difficult to divide into segments

Summary

The C of G of a body represents the balance point In humans, movement of body segments alters the overall position of the C of G The location of the center of mass can be calculated using the segmental method Stability/mobility is affected by the position of the C of G C of G is an important consideration for flight and rotational movements