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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
Case study: a novel biomechanical approach for evaluating extended body armor systems
Jessica C Selinger1, Chad E Gooyers, Joan M Stevenson
1School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, 69 Union Street, PEC 148 Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.
Military Medicine
|December 3, 2010
Summary
This study assessed body armor's impact on soldier movement using electromyography (EMG) and range of motion (ROM) sensors. Combining shoulder ROM and EMG offers a promising objective method for evaluating body armor performance.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Factors Engineering
- Protective Equipment Research
Background:
- Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) necessitate advanced body armor with extended coverage.
- Increased armor coverage can lead to heavier systems, potentially restricting soldier mobility.
- Objective assessment methods are needed to evaluate the functional impact of new body armor designs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a novel technique for assessing the functional impact of different body armor systems on soldier movement.
- To quantify muscular activity and joint range of motion during various movements while wearing body armor.
- To correlate objective biomechanical measures with subjective soldier feedback.
Main Methods:
- Four soldiers participated in the study, performing standardized shoulder and trunk movements.
- Six different body armor inserts were evaluated.
- Electromyography (EMG) measured muscular activity, and inertial motion sensors captured joint range of motion (ROM).
- Outcome measures included maximum ROM, integrated EMG, and subjective soldier rankings.
Main Results:
- For shoulder tasks, objective ROM and EMG measures showed correlation with each other, subjective rankings, and armor material properties.
- Objective measures for trunk tasks exhibited limited agreement with subjective rankings.
- The study demonstrated a potential link between biomechanical data and perceived comfort/performance.
Conclusions:
- Combining shoulder range of motion (ROM) and electromyography (EMG) measures shows potential for objectively assessing body armor systems.
- The developed methodology may aid in optimizing body armor design for improved soldier performance and protection.
- Further research is recommended to refine trunk movement assessments and validate findings across larger cohorts.
