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The influence of headform orientation and flooring systems on impact dynamics during simulated fall-related head impacts

  • Alexander D. Wright
    • ,
  • Andrew C. Laing

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1. Tel.: +1 519 888 4567x38947.

Injury Biomechanics and Aging Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Received 25 March 2011; received in revised form 13 November 2011; accepted 15 November 2011. published online 15 December 2011.
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Abstract 

Novel compliant flooring systems are a promising approach for reducing fall-related injuries in seniors, as they may provide up to 50% attenuation in peak force during simulated hip impacts while eliciting only minimal influences on balance. This study aimed to determine the protective capacity of novel compliant floors during simulated ‘high severity’ head impacts compared to common flooring systems.

A headform was impacted onto a common Commercial-Carpet at 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5m/s in front, back, and side orientations using a mechanical drop tower. Peak impact force applied to the headform (Fmax), peak linear acceleration of the headform (gmax) and Head Injury Criterion (HIC) were determined. For the 3.5m/s trials, backwards-oriented impacts were associated with the highest Fmax and HIC values (p<0.001); accordingly, this head orientation was used to complete additional trials on three common floors (Resilient Rubber, Residential-Loop Carpet, Berber Carpet) and six novel compliant floors at each impact velocity. ANOVAs indicated that flooring type was associated with all parameters at each impact velocity (p<0.001). Compared to impacts on the Commercial Carpet, Dunnett's post hoc indicated all variables were smaller (25–80%) for the novel compliant floors (p<0.001), but larger for Resilient Rubber (31–159%, p<0.01).

This study demonstrates that during ‘high severity’ simulated impacts, novel compliant floors can substantially reduce the forces and accelerations applied to a headform compared to common floors including carpet and resilient rubber. In combination with reports of minimal balance impairments, these findings support the promise of novel compliant floors as a biomechanically effective strategy for reducing fall-related injuries including traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures.

Keywords: Traumatic brain injury, Falls, Compliant floors, Injury Prevention, Head impact biomechanics, Aging

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PII: S1350-4533(11)00303-1

doi:10.1016/j.medengphy.2011.11.012

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