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Updated: Aug 25, 2026
A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
Published on: September 21, 2017
Electromyographic and kinematic exploration of whiplash-type neck perturbations in left lateral collisions
Shrawan Kumar1, Robert Ferrari, Yogesh Narayan
1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. shrawan.kumar@ualberta.ca
Study Design:
Seven healthy volunteers were subjected to left lateral impacts of 4.8, 7.9, 11, and 13.7 m/s acceleration at two levels of expectation: expected and unexpected.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to determine the response of the cervical muscles to increasing low-velocity left lateral impacts, and to compare the quantitative effects of expected and unexpected impact.
Summary Of Background Data:
The literature contains little information on the etiology of whiplash injuries. Animal and cadaver studies have yielded some insight into the phenomenon. However, in vivo studies of the cervical muscular response and head-neck kinematics to lateral impacts are rare.
Methods:
Bilateral electromyograms of the sternocleidomastoids, trapezii, and splenii capitis were recorded bilaterally. Triaxial accelerometers recorded the acceleration of the chair, torso at the shoulder level, and head of the participant.
Results:
At an acceleration of 13.7 m/s, the sternocleidomastoids and trapezii generated approximately
Conclusions:
Because the muscular component of the head-neck complex plays a central role in the abatement of higher acceleration levels, it may be a primary site of injury in the whiplash phenomenon in lateral collisions. Expecting or being aware of imminent impact may play a role in reducing muscle responses in low-velocity impacts.
