Computing the COM from the COP in postural sway movements

A method is described for computing the centre of mass (COM) from empirical estimates of the centre of pressure (COP) obtained by means of a force pla tform, The method is based on a biomechanical model of sway movements in qu iet standing, according to which the horizontal acceleration of the COM is approximately proportional to the COM-COP difference. The equations are sol ved by approximating the solution with best fitting spline functions. The i mplications for movement control are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B .V. All rights reserved. PsycINFO classification. 2330.