KINE 3301 Biomechanics of Human Movement Center of Mass Chapter 12
Segmental Method for Computing Center of Mass Segment Segment Weight (N) CM Location (%) Proximal End Head 0.032 x BW + 18.70 66.3 Top of Head Trunk 0.532 x BW – 6.93 52.2 1ST Cervical Upper Arm 0.022 x BW + 4.76 50.7 Shoulder Forearm 0.013 x BW + 2.41 41.7 Elbow Hand 0.005 x BW + 0.75 51.1 Wrist Thigh 0.127 x BW – 14.82 39.8 Hip Lower Leg 0.044 x BW – 1.75 41.3 Knee Foot 0.009 x BW + 2.48 40.0 Ankle From: Chandler, R. F., C. E. Clauser, et al. (1975).
Computing the Location of a Segments CM
How to Use Segmental Method Determine the X, Y location of the endpoints of all body segments. Determine the weight of each segment. Determine the location of each segments center of mass. Multiply the segment weights by the x or y coordinates and then divide by the total weight to determine the location of the body center of mass. 𝑥 𝐶𝑀 = 𝑚 1 𝑥 1 + 𝑚 2 𝑥 2 + 𝑚 3 𝑥 3 … 𝑚 1 + 𝑚 2 + 𝑚 3 … 𝑦 𝐶𝑀 = 𝑚 1 𝑦 1 + 𝑚 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑚 3 𝑦… 𝑚 1 + 𝑚 2 + 𝑚 2 …
Using Excel to Compute CM
=2*((0.127*$L$2)-14.82) Sagittal View Example Segment Segment Weight (N) CM Location (%) Proximal End Head 0.032 x BW + 18.70 66.3 Top of Head Trunk 0.532 x BW – 6.93 52.2 1ST Cervical Thigh 0.127 x BW – 14.82 39.8 Hip In the back handspring assignment we are assuming that the right and left limbs move symmetrically, so the weights must be doubled, in cell F5 enter the following: =2*((0.127*$L$2)-14.82)