# Balance and Momentum

## Use Your Center of Gravity.

Being mindful of your center of gravity and the type of movements you make can help you climb more effectively.

### Momentum:

When climbers change positions on the wall they are employing the concept of momentum.

$\mathrm{momentum}=\mathrm{mass}×\mathrm{velocity}$

Impulse causes a change in momentum.

### Newton's Second Law of Motion

$\mathrm{force}=\mathrm{mass}×\mathrm{acceleration}$
$\mathrm{force}=\frac{\Delta \mathrm{velocity}}{\Delta \mathrm{time}}$

By rearranging the equation,
$\mathrm{force}×\Delta \mathrm{time}=\mathrm{mass}×\Delta \mathrm{velocity}$
$\mathrm{impulse}=\Delta \mathrm{momemtum}$

### Movement Types

• Static
The climber makes slow, controlled movements from one hold to another while maintaining balance. Low Δmomentum means less force.
• Dynamic
The climber makes fast movements that require momentum to reach the next hold. However, changing your momentum during these moves requires greater forces.

### Center of Gravity. (CoG)

An imaginary point where the average location of the weight of an object is thought to be concentrated.

*The center of gravity for humans is approximately at the belly button.