Limits of Control: Testing the extremes of human movements in mid-air
Wednesday, 11 September 2013 from 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM (AEST)
Presented by Associate Professor Holger R Dullin.
Have you ever wondered how cats manage to land on all fours, regardless of the direction of their body when they fall?
How do divers, skiers and gymnasts change their shape and orientation when in similar free flight situations?
Find out how mathematicians, engineers and sports scientists in collaboration with the NSW Institute of Sport answer these questions as part of the "Bodies in Space" research project.
Bodies in Space researchers are using geometric mechanics to model the aerial motion of athletes and simulate their movements using computers.
A greater understanding of this science will help to optimise performance and stretch the limitations of human movement in mid air.