Centre Of Mass Flashcards
What is the centre of mass?
This is the point of balance.
What are the challenged when finding the centre of mass in the body?
The human body is an irregular shape so the centre of mass cannot be identified easily.
In addition the body is constantly moving so the centre of mass will change.
Where is the centre of mass in the body?
For someone adopting a standing position - between the hip region.
How does the centre of mass change for genders?
Males - more weight concentrated in their shoulders and upper body so their centre of mass is slightly higher.
Females - more weight concentrated at their hips.
What are the factors affecting stability?
The height of the centre of mass
Position of the line of gravity
Area of the support base
Mass of the performer
How does the height of the centre of mass affect stability?
Lowering the centre of mass will increase stability.
How does the position of the line go gravity affect stability?
Should be central over the base of support to increase stability.
How does the area of the support base affect stability?
The more contact points, the larger the base of support becomes and the more stable they become.
What’s an example of the area of the support base?
A headstand has more contact points than a handstand so is a more balanced position.
How does the mass of the performer affect stability?
Often the greater the mass, the more stability there is because of increased inertia.
What is the line of gravity?
This is the line extending vertically downwards from the centre of mass.
What is the area of support base?
The larger the area, the greater the stability.
How can the centre of mass affect stability?
If you lower it, you will increase stability.
However, if it starts to move near the edge of the base of support, you will start to over-balance.
What’s an example of lowering the centre of mass?
A lower stance in rugby/judo, makes it harder for an opponent to push you over.
What’s an example of the centre of mass near the edge of the support?
A sprinter in the ‘set’ position will have their centre of mass right at the edge of the area of support.
As they move when they hear the starting pistol, they will lift their hands off the ground and become off-balanced.
This will allow the athlete to fall forward and will create the momentum for the speed they require to leave the blocks as quickly as possible.
