Determining the Position of the Centre of Gravity in the Living Body in Different Attitudes and with Different Loads

Abstract

Our measurements and deductions also enable us to determine the position of the centre of gravity in the living body. This requires entering the body into a tridimensional system of co-ordinates. Two projections of the body are sufficient, most conveniently on a sagittal and a coronal plane. These projections are reliably obtained by photographing a side and a front view. The plane XY of the rectangular system of co-ordinates is the horizontal ground. Axis Z is the vertical line through the middle of the line connecting the centres of the two hip joints. Axis X is directed postero-anteriorly, and axis Y transversely. The rectangular system of co-ordinates is thus complete if we add that axis X is positive forwards, axis Y is positive to the right and axis Z is positive upwards.