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Updated: Oct 10, 2025
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
Impact attenuation provided by older adult protective headwear products during simulated fall-related head impacts
Daniel R Martel1, Michelle R Tanel1, Andrew C Laing1
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Introduction:
While protective headwear products (PHP) are designed to protect older adults from fall-related head injuries, there are limited data on their protective capacity. This study's goal was to assess the impact attenuation provided by commercially available PHP during simulated head impacts.
Methods:
A drop tower and Hybrid III headform measured the decrease in peak linear acceleration (g ) provided by 12 PHP for front- and back-of-head impacts at low (clinically relevant: 3.5 m/s) and high (5.7 m/s) impact velocities.
Results:
The range of g across PHP was larger at the low velocity (56% and 41% for back and frontal impacts, respectively) vs. high velocity condition (27% and 38% for back and frontal impacts, respectively). A significant interaction between impact location and velocity was observed (p < .05), with significantly greater g for back-of-head compared to front-of-head impacts at the low impact velocity (19% mean difference). While not significant, there was a modest positive association between g and product padding thickness for back-of-head impacts (p = .095; r = 0.349).
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates the wide range in impact attenuation across commercially available PHP, and suggests that existing products provide greater impact attenuation during back-of-head impacts. These data may inform evidence-based decisions for clinicians and consumers and help drive industry innovation.
