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Changes in segment inertia proportions between 4 and 20 years.
1School of Human Movement, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Biomechanics
|January 1, 1989
Summary
During growth from 4 to 20 years, male body mass significantly redistributes between segments, impacting biomechanics. This study quanties these changes in segment mass and inertia parameters.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Growth and Development
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Body mass increases and redistributes during adolescent growth.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for analyzing joint forces and moments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe changes in segment mass, radius to the mass center, and radius of gyration in males aged 4-20 years.
- To investigate the potential effects of these mass redistribution changes on joint reaction forces and moments.
Main Methods:
- A mixed longitudinal study collected data annually over 9 years.
- The body was modeled using elliptical zones to determine segment mass, mass center, and principal moments of inertia.
- Parameters were presented as proportions of total mass or segment length.
Main Results:
- Significant redistribution of mass between body segments was observed, consistent with cephalo-caudal and distal-to-proximal development principles.
- Mass redistribution within segments was relatively small, as indicated by proportions for radius and radius of gyration.
- Substantial differences in parameters were noted when comparing a 6-year-old to expected values at 18, 24, and 54 years.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent growth involves substantial inter-segmental mass redistribution, influencing biomechanical analyses.
- Inertia parameters change significantly with age, necessitating age-specific models for accurate biomechanical assessments.
- The findings provide valuable data for understanding developmental changes in human body composition and its biomechanical implications.