In this paper we analyse the mass center and the postural stability of four basic Kung Fu Pak Hok postures. Although biomechanics arose in 60's, its application in martial arts such as Kung Fu, isn't often. There are few case studies which accounts the movements of Kung Fu, however there are none based on the study of its mass center and stability of its basic postures. This paper has as objective to describe the mass center and the stability of each of the four most basic postures of the Kung Fu Pak Hok using the image analytical method in a way that is possible to assemble Physics and Sports in an educational context. In order to calculate the mass center of each posture, it was carried out the image analytical method. The stability calculation was carried out by means of the equilibrium concept associated to the torques generated by the weight force and a destabilizing force. The mass center for each of the four postures was about the belly button. Also, it was noticed that the most stable postures were associated to defensive stances while unstable postures were associated to offensive stances. Nevertheless, the quantitative analysis stand on tune with the qualitative approach linked to the cultural background in the Kung Fu martial art.
Keywords
biomechanics; kinesiology; Kung Fu; mass center; postural stability
