AbstractAlthough head restraints were introduced in the 1960s as a countermeasure for whiplash, their limited effectiveness has been attributed to incorrect positioning. The effect of backset on cervical segmental angulations, which were previously correlated with spinal injury, has not been delineated. Therefore, the practical restraint position to minimize injury remains unclear. A parametric study of increasing head restraint backset between 0 and 140mm was conducted using a comprehensively validated computational model. Head retraction values increased with increasing backset, reaching a maximum value of 53.5mm for backsets greater than 60mm. Segmental angulation magnitudes, greatest at levels C5–C6 and C6–C7, reached maximum values during the retraction phase and increased with increasing backset. Results were compared to a previously published head restraint rating system, wherein lower cervical extension magnitudes from this study exceeded mean physiologic limits for restraint positions rated good, acceptable, marginal, and poor. As head restraint contact was the limiting factor in head retraction and segmental angulations, the present study indicates that minimizing whiplash injury may be accomplished by limiting head restraint backset to less than 60mm either passively or actively after impact.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Effect of head restraint backset on head–neck kinematics in whiplash


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2005-10-11


    Size :

    7 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





    Occupant Head Restraint Usage Heights Relative to Backset and Safety

    Stefani, Michelle / Furtado, Roland / Pewinski, Wendy | SAE Technical Papers | 2007


    Occupant head restraint usage heights relative to backset and safety

    Stefani,M. / Pewinski,W. / Furtado,R. et al. | Automotive engineering | 2006


    Effect of Head-Restraint Rigidity on Whiplash Injury Risk

    Voo, L. / Merkle, A. / Wright, J. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004


    Effect of head-restraint rigidity on whiplash injury risk

    Voo,L. / Merkle,A. / Wright,J. et al. | Automotive engineering | 2004