Describing headform pose and impact location for blunt impact testing

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Reproducing anthropomorphic test device (ATD) head impact test methods is vital for developing technologies to reduce sports-related brain injury.
• A lack of consensus exists regarding the reporting of ATD pose and impact location, hindering industry and research efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore current methods for reporting impact location and ATD head pose in sport-related head impact testing.
• To provide recommendations for standardizing these descriptions to improve consistency and reproducibility.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a database search and exclusion process to identify relevant articles (137 met review criteria).
• Analyzed the methods used in the literature for describing ATD pose and impact location.
• Proposed a novel method for unambiguously conveying impact location and ATD pose.

Main Results:

• Only 4 out of 137 reviewed articles used a reporting method similar to the one proposed.
• The proposed method relies on the sequence, quantifiable design, and articulation of ATD mount joints.
• The proposed method has seen limited use in existing literature.

Conclusions:

• A standardized method for reporting ATD headform pose and impact location is needed.
• Adoption of the proposed method will enhance the standardization and replication of head impact test protocols.
• Standardized reporting will facilitate the development of effective brain injury prevention strategies in sports.