Aerodynamics of the human body

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to present a model for the determination of aerodynamic forces on the human body during sport activities. THE MODEL The human body was modeled by a series of conjugated circular cylinders to simulate the trunk and appendages and a single sphere to simulate the head. Figure 1 illustrates the model (not drawn to scale) for the case of a human body in free-fall descent in which arms and legs are fully extended. Each cylinder is numbered for future reference. It is noted that each leg is modeled by two cylinders of different diameters where the upper cylinders (3 and 4) extend from the base of the trunk to the knee. 2 Figure 1. Model of human body (not drawn to scale) for determination of aerodynamic forces during free-fall descent through the earth's atmosphere. See text for detailed explanation.