Estimation of the biomechanical properties of three body types using a photogrammetric method

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Abstract

A mathematical model to estimate the size and inertial properties of the segments and the body as a whole was used to compare three boys of differing body types. The model is based on the assumptions that the body is composed of elliptical zones two centimetres wide and that the segment densities are known. These assumptions allow for more effective representation of body shape and wider application to sub-populations than existing models. The dimensions of the zones were obtained by digitizing photographic records of the side view of the subject and front view as reflected in a 45° mirror. Segment densities were reported by Dempster (1955). The accuracy for the estimation of body mass was better than two percent. Comparisons were made between the endomorph and the ectomorph who had similar link dimensions and the endomorph and the mesomorph who had a similar body mass. Some of the segment masses for the endomorph were substantially greater than would be expected by comparing the total body masses of the endomorph and the ectomorph and suggest significant constraints on the development of upper and lower extremity linear momentum. These differences were even more pronounced when the segmental and whole body principal moments of inertia were compared and the greatest differences were for the longitudinal exes. When the inertial properties of the endomorph and the mesomorph were compared, they were found to be similar. However, the mesomorph was older and more physically developed than the endomorph and thus better able to accommodate the constraints. These findings have important implications for the motor skills and efficiency of children of different body type.

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    This research was supported by Grant No. A3693 from the National Research Council, Canada.

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