Martel DR, Tanel MR, Laing AC. Impact attenuation provided by older adult protective headwear products during simulated fall-related head impacts.
J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng 2021;
8:20556683211050357. [PMID:
34877017 PMCID:
PMC8645304 DOI:
10.1177/20556683211050357]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
While protective headwear products (PHP) are designed to protect older adults from fall-related head injuries, there are limited data on their protective capacity. This study’s goal was to assess the impact attenuation provided by commercially available PHP during simulated head impacts.
Methods
A drop tower and Hybrid III headform measured the decrease in peak linear acceleration (gatten) provided by 12 PHP for front- and back-of-head impacts at low (clinically relevant: 3.5 m/s) and high (5.7 m/s) impact velocities.
Results
The range of gatten across PHP was larger at the low velocity (56% and 41% for back and frontal impacts, respectively) vs. high velocity condition (27% and 38% for back and frontal impacts, respectively). A significant interaction between impact location and velocity was observed (p < .05), with significantly greater gatten for back-of-head compared to front-of-head impacts at the low impact velocity (19% mean difference). While not significant, there was a modest positive association between gatten and product padding thickness for back-of-head impacts (p = .095; r = 0.349).
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the wide range in impact attenuation across commercially available PHP, and suggests that existing products provide greater impact attenuation during back-of-head impacts. These data may inform evidence-based decisions for clinicians and consumers and help drive industry innovation.
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