Studies of the Center of Gravity in the Human Body

The position of the center of gravity in the human body has been studied from various points of view by anatomists and physiologists for many years. The earlier investigators were primarily concerned with the theoretical significance of locating the center of mass of the body. Later workers have emphasized the importance of considering the effects of gravity in problems of the mechanics of posture and locomotion. More recently the center of gravity of the human fetus has been studied in connectionwith certain obstetrical problems. At various times the situation of the center of gravity has been considered an important factor in the estimation of various types of body build and body form. Although extensive studies have been made on the position of the center of mass of the human body, no adequate method has been described for the finding of this point and most of the studies have been based upon analysis of very few observations. It was the aim of this research to develop an accurate and expedient method for the determination of the center of gravity in the living body and to apply this method to a sufficiently large series of cases to permit a statistical analysis of some of the more important influences which the force of gravity may have on the human body. It is believed that a study of this kind may throw some light upon various problems of the growth of the body and in particular to be of importance in connection with certain problems of the mechanics of child physiology as applied to motor activity and motor coordination. It is the purpose of the present paper to show detailed determinations of the