HUMAN SUBJECT KINEMATICS AND ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY DURING LOW SPEED REAR IMPACTS

This study enhances the existing database of human subject test exposures with an emphasis on electromyographic activity before, during, and after low speed rear impact. Ten nominal 16 km/h closing speed car-to-car impacts were conducted using instrumented male and female subjects aged 22-54 years, with struck vehicle velocity changes of up to 10 km/h. Two head restraint conditions were studied. One condition was a standard seat integrated head restraint. For the second condition the integrated head restraint was modified by adding 2 padding inches to the existing head restraint. No injuries were sustained by any occupant. In all cases, the subjects exhibited pre-impact muscle activity commensurate with that of a relaxed seated posture. Initial muscle activity typically occurred during the initial impact phase as the occupant's cervical spine was extending. Full muscle tension likely did not develop until the cervical spine was flexing. Initial muscle activity was consistent with being triggered by lumbar spine acceleration, and occurred approximately 90-120 milliseconds after onset of lumbar spine acceleration. No significant differences were noted between muscle response times for the two head restraint conditions. Decreases in rearward head displacement, cervical spine extension, and head acceleration were found for the modified head restraint. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 891635.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1560919019
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Authors:
  • SZABO, T J
  • WELCHER, J B
• Conference:
  • SAE PUBLICATION P-305. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 40TH STAPP CAR CRASH CONFERENCE, NOVEMBER 4-6, 1996, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, USA (SAE TECHNICAL PAPER 962432)
• Publication Date: 1996-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 295-315

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Biophysics; Conferences; Crash tests; Evaluation and assessment; Head; Headrests; Motion; Muscles; Rear end crashes; Seats; Spinal column; Vehicle occupants; Vehicle padding; Vertebrae
• ITRD Terms: 5405: Acceleration; 2060: Biomechanics; 2040: Cervical vertebrae; 8525: Conference; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 1399: Head restraint; 1648: Impact test (crash); 5483: Movement; 2032: Muscle; 1457: Padding (safety); 1620: Rear end collision; 1388: Seat (veh); 2041: Spinal column; 1715: Vehicle occupant
• Subject Areas: Passenger Transportation; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00740897
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Institute for Road Safety Research, SWOV
• ISBN: 1-56091-901-9
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Oct 30 1997 12:00AM