balance + stability Flashcards
centre of mass facts
-distribution of mass is equal in all directions
-does not depend on gravitational field
centre of gravity
-distribution of weight is equal in all directions
-DOES depend on gravitational field
balance is =
the ability to control equilibrium
how is balance achieved and maintained
through stability
how do you achieve balance and remain balanced?
keep your centre of gravity over your base of support
what is stability
tendency of a body to remain in or return to its initial position following the application of a force
what does passive stability depend on?
-horizontal distance from CoG to pivot point
-height of CoG above the base
-area of base
-weight
stable equilibrium:
-its potential energy is at a minimum
-have to put work in to change its position
unstable equilbrium:
-its potential energy at/near a maximum
-very little work done to change its position
neutral equilibrium:
-object moves but no change in its potential energy
humans are ….
passively unstable but dynamically stable
motor control =
regulation/maintenance of a function or action
factors to increase stability
-> keeping CoG over base of support
-> lowering CoG
-> increasing mass
-> shift CoG towards oncoming force
human balance =
the active control of the physical shape of the limbs to provide varying degrees of passive stability, and muscular actions to provide compensating active stability for passive sufficiencies
4 common reflex balance mechanisms
-ankle strategy
-hip strength
-stepping response
-arm circle
