This paper is an evaluative review of the literature concerning the locations of the centers of gravity of the human body and body segments. Data from several sources are compared and the methods and limitations discussed. It is shown that the selection of source and the manner of applying center of gravity data will depend on (1) the accuracy required, (2) anthropometric characteristics of the population under study, and (3) equipment and body positions anticipated.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AkerblomB.Standing and sitting posture.Stockholm: A.B. Nordiska Bokhandeln, 1948.
2.
BarterJ. T.Estimation of the mass of body segments. WADC Technical Report 57-260, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 1957.
3.
BoydE.The specific gravity of the human body. Hum. Biol., 5, 646–672, 1933.
4.
BrauneW.FischerO.The center of gravity of the human body as related to the equipment of the German infantry. Treatises of the Mathematical-Physical Class of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Saxony, Number 7, Leipzig, 1889. (U.S. Army Air Forces, Air Materiel Command Translation No. 379, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio.).
5.
BrozekJ.KeysA.Body build and body composition. Science,116, 140–142, 1952.
6.
CottonF. S.Studies in centre of gravity changes. Amt. J. Exp. Biol. Med. Sci., 10, 16–34, 225–247, 1932.
7.
DempsterW. T.Space requirements of the seated operator. WADC Technical Report 55-159, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 1955.
8.
DreyfussH.The measure of man.New York: Whitney Library of Design, 1960.
9.
DupertuisC. W.PittsG. C.OssermanE. F.WelhamW. C.BehnkeA. R.Relation of specific gravity to body build in a group of healthy men. J. Appl. Physiol., 3, 676–680, 1951.
10.
FischerO.Theoretische Grundlagen für eine Mechanik der lebenden Körper.Berlin: B. G. Teubner, 1906.
11.
HellebrandtA.GenevieveG.TepperR. H.The Relation of the center of gravity to the base of support in stance. Amer. J. Physiol., 119, 331–332, 1937.
12.
HertzbergH. T. E.DanielsG. S.The center of gravity of a fully loaded F-86 ejection seat in the ejection position. Memorandum Report No. MCREXD-45341-4-5, USAF Air Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, 1950.
13.
HertzbergH. T. E.DanielsG. S.ChurchillE.Anthropometry of flying personnel. WADC Technical Report 52-321, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 1954.
14.
LayW. E.FisherL. C.Riding comfort and cushions. SAB Jour., 47, 482–496, 1940.
15.
MossoA.Application de la balance a l'étude de la circulation du sang chez l'homme. Archives Italiennes de Biologie, 5, 130–143, 1884.
16.
ReynoldsE.LovettR. W.A method of determining the position of the center of gravity in its relation to certain bony landmarks in the erect position. Amer. J. Physiol., 24, 289–93, 1909.
17.
SheldonW. H.StevensS. S.TuckerW. B.The varieties of human physique.New York: Harper and Brothers, 1940.
18.
SteindlerA.Kinesiology of the human body.Springfield, Illinois: Charles T. Thomas, 1955.
19.
SwearingenJ. J.Determination of centers of gravity of man.Civil Aeronautics Medical Research Laboratory, Department of Commerce, CAA Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1953.
20.
WeinbachA. P.Contour maps, center of gravity, moment of inertia, and surface area of the human body. Hum. Biol., 10, 356–371, 1938.
