Biomechanics, center of mass of human body and balance

[fog37]

Hello everyone,
I know that the any object, human body included, when the vertical line from its center of mass to the floor falls outside the base of support, topples under the influence of gravity: the force of gravity produces a nonzero torque that rotates the body.

Is the human body able to produce, through the muscles, a torque that can prevent the falling even when the center of mass falls outside the base of support? I think so. We can change our body position to make sure the CM of mass falls within the base of support under the influence of an external push. But I an not sure if gymnasts, circus acrobats can maintain position where the CM is outside the base of support. All inanimate objects simply turn if the CM falls outside the support base.

Thanks!

 

[A.T.]

All inanimate objects simply turn if the CM falls outside the support base.

So do walking humans, but they change their support to catch the fall. Look up inverted pendelum model of walking.

 

[fog37]

I see. Thanks.
I thought that something like this (see below) may have been possible with sufficient training. But I guess our muscular system cannot counteract the gravitational torque.

 

[A.T.]

I see. Thanks.
I thought that something like this (see below) may have been possible with sufficient training. But I guess our muscular system cannot counteract the gravitational torque.

View attachment 213850

There suerly is a making of that video on the net.

 

[robphy]

https://www.google.com/patents/US5255452

http://twentytwowords.com/the-shoes-that-made-michael-jacksons-anti-gravity-lean-possible/