HUMAN HEAD AND NECK KINEMATICS AFTER LOW VELOCITY REAR-END IMPACTS - UNDERSTANDING "WHIPLASH"

This paper reports findings from an analysis of kinematic responses to a test series of fourteen rear end impacts including a higher range of impact related delta-V (5.8-10.9 kph or 3.6-6.8 mph) than was previously studied. The resulting head, neck and torso kinematics from a total of eighteen human and four Hybrid III anthropometric test device exposures were recorded using a variety of improved electronic and high speed film based data collection methods. All but one of the observations from the earlier study were confirmed, some of the earlier observations and unanswered questions were able to be refined or corrected and biomechanically rational explanation of human head, neck, torso, seatback and head restraint interaction during rear end collisions can now be offered along with comments suggesting a proposed mechanism of injury related to the often referred to, but ill defined 'whiplash' syndrome. Language: en