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Surface Contact Features, Impact Obliquity, and Preimpact Rotational Motion in Concussive Helmet-to-Ground Impacts: Assessment via a New Impact Test Device

  • Concussion Biomechanics in Football
  • Published:
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Abstract

This paper reports the development of a test device for replicating unique features of concussion-causing helmet-to-ground impacts. Helmet-to-ground impacts are characterized by an oblique impact velocity vector, preimpact rotational motion of the helmeted head, and an impact into a compliant frictional surface of unknown effective mass. No helmet assessment testing program replicates these impact characteristics, yet they influence brain injury risk and therefore may influence helmet design priorities. To replicate these mechanics, the carriage of a drop tower was modified by the addition of a curvilinear bearing track and a hinged torso-neck fixture to which a helmeted head of a Hybrid III anthropomorphic test device was mounted. Preimpact rotational motion of the head was imparted by forcing a link arm to follow the curvilinear path as the carriage fell under gravity. At impact, the rotating helmeted head struck a vertically mounted surface. The ground impact features of head kinematics are illustrated by comparing rear impacts into a rigid, low-friction surface against those into a compliant frictional surface simulating turf. With the rigid, low-friction surface, the head experienced a change in rotational rate of approximately 40 rad/s, which corresponded to a peak rotational acceleration of approximately αy = − 4000 rad/s2. In contrast, peak rotational acceleration with the compliant frictional surface was approximately αy = − 1000 rad/s2 while the helmet was in contact with the surface. Neck loads were significantly greater with the compliant frictional surface. Translational head acceleration was less sensitive to the surface characteristics, with the peak of the anterior-posterior component essentially unchanged.

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Acknowledgements

The research presented in this paper was made possible by a Grant from Football Research, Inc. (FRI). FRI is a nonprofit corporation that receives funding from sources including the NFL and is dedicated to the research and development of novel methods to prevent, mitigate, and treat traumatic head injury. The views expressed are solely those of the authors and do not represent those of FRI or any of its affiliates or funding sources. The authors gratefully acknowledge the testing assistance of Peter Young and Brian McEwen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomechanics Consulting and Research, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Richard Kent, Ann Bailey, Joseph Cormier, Gwansik Park & Jeff Crandall

  2. Center for Applied Biomechanics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Richard Kent & Jason Forman

  3. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Kristy B. Arbogast

  4. Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Barry Myers

Authors
  1. Richard Kent
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  2. Jason Forman
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  7. Kristy B. Arbogast
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Correspondence to Richard Kent.

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Associate Editor Dan Elson oversaw the review of this article.

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Kent, R., Forman, J., Bailey, A. et al. Surface Contact Features, Impact Obliquity, and Preimpact Rotational Motion in Concussive Helmet-to-Ground Impacts: Assessment via a New Impact Test Device. Ann Biomed Eng 48, 2639–2651 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-020-02621-x

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