ENERGY MEASURES ACROSS HOCKEY HELMET IMPACT LOCATIONS

Authors

Carlos Zerpa, Lakehead UniversityFollow
Stephen Carlson, Lakehead UniversityFollow
Eryk Przysucha, Lakehead UniversityFollow
Meilan Liu, Lakehead UniversityFollow
Paolo Sanzo, Lakehead UniversityFollow

Category

Methods

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between risk of head injury and energy loading across hockey helmet impact locations as another measure to assess helmet performance in reducing the risk of head injuries. A medium size NOCSAE headform instrumented with linear accelerometers was used to simulate dynamic impacts to the head during a free fall. The measured impact force was then used to determine energy loading and severity index. The results indicated that the energy loading on the helmet material accounts for 11.56% of the variance in predicting the risk of head injury across hockey helmet impact locations. This information becomes useful for researchers, coaches and helmet designers to better understand the material properties of helmets in energy loading and the role that the geometry of the helmet plays in minimizing the risk of traumatic brain injuries due to impact.

Recommended Citation

Zerpa, Carlos; Carlson, Stephen; Przysucha, Eryk; Liu, Meilan; and Sanzo, Paolo (2019) "ENERGY MEASURES ACROSS HOCKEY HELMET IMPACT LOCATIONS," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 37: Iss. 1, Article 109.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol37/iss1/109