Study of cervical muscle response and injury of driver during a frontal vehicle collision

Abstract

Abstract. Frontal vehicle collisions can cause injury to a driver's cervical muscles resulting from intense changes in muscle strain and muscle load. This study investigated the influence of collision forces in a sled test environment using a modified Hybrid III 50 th percentile dummy equipped with simulated spring-type muscles. Cervical muscle responses including strain and load of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), splenius capitis (SPL), and trapezius (TRP) were analyzed, and muscle injury was assessed. The SCM, SPL, and TRP suffered average peak muscle strains of 21%, 40%, and 23%, respectively, exceeding the injury threshold. The average peak muscle loads of the SCM, SPL and TRP were 11 N, 25 N, and 25 N, respectively, lower than the ultimate failure load. The SPL endured the largest injury, while the injuries to the SCM and TRP were relatively small. This is a preliminary study to assess the cervical muscle of driver during a frontal vehicle collision. This study provides a foundation for investigating the muscle response and injury in sled test environments, which can lead to the improvement of occupant protections.

A Novel Approach to Measuring Muscle Mechanics in Vehicle Collision Conditions

“…It is reasonable to assume that the moment arm variations do not change significantly the load distribution among the neck extensors, but the cumulative neck extensor force increases as the moment arm shortens. Gao et al [57] observed the same level of the peak load and timing for trapezius and semispinalis muscles, suggesting that measuring the stress of the trapezius muscle can also indicate the dynamic response for other neck extensors. With measuring the muscle tension on upper trapezius, muscle wrapping is already taken into account, providing a more favourable input parameter for estimating neck loads during frontal impacts.…”