Mechanical analysis of the influence of the change in the height of gravitational center on body sway properties for postural control in the human body
To mechanically elucidate the influence of the difference in the height of gravitational center on postural balance, we analyzed the body sway while standing in both young and elderly subjects. Body sway of young subjects was evaluated with and without weights of 50 N attached to the knees and shoulder regions respectively. Although the body sway was not influenced by the difference in the height of gravitational center in young subjects, it increased significantly when loaded with weights. In elderly subjects, however, it became clear that the body sway was affected by the height of gravitational center even without any load.