The difference between center of mass and center of pressure : A review of human postural control

This paper is a review of the relationship between the center of mass (COM) and center of pressure (COP). In the literature, there has been a major misuse of the COP, especially when it is referred to as body sway, inferring that it is the same as the COM. Careful attention is needed in the analysis of data obtained from the force platform to avoid confusing the COM and COP. We focused on the biomechanical aspects of human balance and posture, and described them while citing former studies. We clarified the definitions of the COM and COP, explained about the quiet standing using the inverted pendulum model which includes the control of the COP, and reconsidered the kinematics of gait initiation, which shows an obvious difference between the COM and COP. Our consideration is that a proper recognition of the COM and COP would be helpful in the evaluation of balance and posture by clinical therapists in the rehabilitation field, and also valuable for preventing falls in individuals with impaired postural control