Lesson
Angular Kinetics - continued
TORQUE and its EFFECT on EQUILIBRIUM and LEVERS
EQUILIBRIUM, STABILITY, BALANCE
EQUILIBRIUM: A state characterized by balanced forces and torques
STABILITY: Resistance to disruption of equilibrium
BALANCE: Ability to control equilibrium
Mechanical factors affecting stability:
- Mass of the object
- Friction between the object and the surface on which it lies
- Base of support
- Horizontal location of CG
- Vertical location of CG
Research has shown that, DURING NORMAL STANCE:
- Frontal plane sway in humans decreases when the base of support is 15 cm (widening
still further does not help).
- If one foot 30 cm in front of the other, frontal plane sway increases, along with sagittal
plane sway
- The angle of foot position does not affect balance; but an extreme toe-in position
causes more sway