Development of a computational framework to adjust the pre-impact spine posture of a whole-body model based on cadaver tests data

• Published in: Journal of biomechanics 2015-02, Vol.48 (4), p.636-643
• Main Authors: Poulard, David, Subit, Damien, Donlon, John-Paul, Kent, Richard W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adjustment; Air bags; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biomechanics; Bones; Boundary conditions; Cadaver; Computer Simulation; Finite element; Finite Element Analysis; Head - anatomy & histology; Human; Humans; Impact response; Impact tests; Kinematics; Mathematical models; Method; Models, Biological; Models, Theoretical; Pelvis; Pelvis - anatomy & histology; Personalization; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Posture; Scalars; Simulation; Spine; Spine - anatomy & histology; Studies; THUMS; Wounds and Injuries - pathology
• ISSN: 0021-9290; 1873-2380
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.12.050

Abstract A method was developed to adjust the posture of a human numerical model to match the pre-impact posture of a human subject. The method involves pulling cables to prescribe the position and orientation of the head, spine and pelvis during a simulation. Six postured models matching the pre-impact posture measured on subjects tested in previous studies were created from a human numerical model. Posture scalars were measured on pre- and after applying the method to evaluate its efficiency. The lateral leaning angle θ L defined between T1 and the pelvis in the coronal plane was found to be significantly improved after application with an average difference of 0.1±0.1° with the PMHS (4.6±2.7° before application). This method will be applied in further studies to analyze independently the contribution of pre-impact posture on impact response using human numerical models.