Centre Of Gravity
The Centre of Gravity & its relationship to the
Application of Sports Massage
Introduction
Every object has a centre of gravity, which, when combined with other factors such as the line of gravity, enables an object to balance. If a person or object moves or changes shape, the centre of gravity will also move. This is important to remember when discussing sports massage as the therapist is constantly moving, making them vulnerable to being unbalanced or unstable. So to be able to conduct a safe, effective massage it is vital that the therapist is in control of their centre of gravity.
To be able to understand more the importance of the centre of gravity when combined with sports massage, we must first understand centre of gravity itself, and other factors that contribute towards it.
Location and inter-relationship of the three elements
The centre of gravity (COG) of the human body is a hypothetical point around which the force of gravity appears to act. It is point at which the combined mass of the body may be concentrated or where the body weight is evenly distributed, (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
In the anatomical position, the COG lies approximately anterior to the second sacral vertebra (www.asu.edu/courses/kin335/documents/Linear%20Kinetics.pdf).
However, since we do not remain fixed in the anatomical position, the weight distribution is moved with every movement we make, therefor shifting the COG, (Fig1.) In order to stay balanced, the centre of gravity must stay within the base support of the body.
Figure 1. shows a diagram detailing the centre of gravity and line of gravity with different body movements. http://www.answers.com/topic/center-of-gravity
The base of support is the area that makes contact with the floor (usually the feet), and the area in between, (Fig2.) As long as the body’s centre of gravity and line of gravity remain within the base of support, the body will remain stable.
The line of gravity is an imaginary
Application of Sports Massage
Introduction
Every object has a centre of gravity, which, when combined with other factors such as the line of gravity, enables an object to balance. If a person or object moves or changes shape, the centre of gravity will also move. This is important to remember when discussing sports massage as the therapist is constantly moving, making them vulnerable to being unbalanced or unstable. So to be able to conduct a safe, effective massage it is vital that the therapist is in control of their centre of gravity.
To be able to understand more the importance of the centre of gravity when combined with sports massage, we must first understand centre of gravity itself, and other factors that contribute towards it.
Location and inter-relationship of the three elements
The centre of gravity (COG) of the human body is a hypothetical point around which the force of gravity appears to act. It is point at which the combined mass of the body may be concentrated or where the body weight is evenly distributed, (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
In the anatomical position, the COG lies approximately anterior to the second sacral vertebra (www.asu.edu/courses/kin335/documents/Linear%20Kinetics.pdf).
However, since we do not remain fixed in the anatomical position, the weight distribution is moved with every movement we make, therefor shifting the COG, (Fig1.) In order to stay balanced, the centre of gravity must stay within the base support of the body.
Figure 1. shows a diagram detailing the centre of gravity and line of gravity with different body movements. http://www.answers.com/topic/center-of-gravity
The base of support is the area that makes contact with the floor (usually the feet), and the area in between, (Fig2.) As long as the body’s centre of gravity and line of gravity remain within the base of support, the body will remain stable.
The line of gravity is an imaginary
References: Encyclopaedia Britannica www.asu.edu/courses/kin335/documents/Linear%20Kinetics.pdf – accessed 11/07/13 http://www.answers.com/topic/center-of-gravity – accessed 11/07/13 http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/five-factors-determine-stability-and-mobility – accessed 11/07/13 http://www.positivehealth.com/article/bodywork/the-importance-of-good-posture-in-bodywork-part-i – accessed 11/07/13 http://www.massageandbodywork.com/Articles/AprilMay2005/humanstance.html – accessed 11/07/13