Human fall simulation testing method: where we are

Falls pose a significant threat to human health and safety. Accurately assessing the protective effectiveness of fall protection products can significantly reduce the occurrence of fall accidents. This paper systematically reviews the types and risk factors of human falls and then discusses the current research status and future prospects of various test methods for human fall protection. A literature search was conducted in databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus. This study focuses on experimental methods for human fall testing, simulation model experiments, and finite element simulations, providing an outlook on future development trends. In the discussion of three different fall testing methods, research indicates that human fall simulation testing faces limitations such as ethical concerns and safety issues. Although simulation experiments allow for multiple tests in a short period, the complexity and accuracy of the models may affect the reliability of the results. By integrating more experimental data, optimizing the design of human models, and incorporating finite element simulation technology, the scope of testing applications can be expanded, thereby improving the effectiveness of protective product designs. In conclusion, future research on fall protection testing methods should aim to establish unified international standards, which will enhance consistency and repeatability in testing, facilitating better comparison and evaluation of the effectiveness of various protective measures. Furthermore, the integration of more experimental data with real-world scenarios, the optimization of human models and test environments, and the promotion of finite element simulation technology will be crucial in enhancing the precision of protective assessments.