Kinematics of the human spine in read oblique impact - A volunteer study

Research conducted into so called "Whiplash Injury", often resulting from motor vehicle crashes, has increased rapidly in recent years. It is apparent that more data is required both for the assessment of anthropometric test devices and for the development of appropriate injury criteria. Very little research has been conducted into the effects of oblique rear impact loading on a motor vehicle occupant and the attributes that an anthropomorphic test device should have to detect injury potential under these loading conditions. In an attempt to address such needs, a series of oblique rear impact sled tests using 8 male volunteers have been conducted at 4km/h and 7km/h. The principle aims of this research were to: Determine human kinematics in a low speed rear oblique impact and to use this information to generate target corridors for use in the future design of rear impact dummies; Examine muscle activity in some of the major muscle groups around the spine; Study the interaction of the human torso with the surrogate vehicle seat back during a rear oblique impact; to produce comparative data for use in evaluating dummy designs; Compare human responses in rear oblique and pure rear impacts to identify any differences that should be addressed when evaluating dummies. The results suggested that the volunteers' whole spines were loaded unevenly by the impact and that this did affect the muscle response. However, the effects of this type of loading on injury risk cannot be determined without further clinical data on the nature of Whiplash Injury. (A)