Finite element modelling of equestrian helmet impacts exposes the need to address rotational kinematics in future helmet designs

• Published in: Computer methods in biomechanics and biomedical engineering 2011-12, Vol.14 (12), p.1021-1031
• Main Authors: Forero Rueda, M. A., Cui, L., Gilchrist, M. D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acceleration; Animals; Athletic Injuries - etiology; Athletic Injuries - physiopathology; Athletic Injuries - prevention & control; Brain Injuries - etiology; Brain Injuries - physiopathology; Brain Injuries - prevention & control; Computer Simulation; Computer-Aided Design; concussion; Craniocerebral Trauma - etiology; Craniocerebral Trauma - physiopathology; Craniocerebral Trauma - prevention & control; Equipment Design; Finite Element Analysis; head impact; Head Protective Devices; horse racing; Horses; Humans; Models, Biological; Rotation; Sports Equipment; sports helmets; Stress, Mechanical; Torque; traumatic brain injury (TBI); Wounds, Nonpenetrating - etiology; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - physiopathology; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - prevention & control
• ISSN: 1025-5842; 1476-8259
• DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2010.504922

Jockey head injuries, especially concussions, are common in horse racing. Current helmets do help to reduce the severity and incidences of head injury, but the high concussion incidence rates suggest that there may be scope to improve the performance of equestrian helmets. Finite element simulations in ABAQUS/Explicit were used to model a realistic helmet model during standard helmeted rigid headform impacts and helmeted head model University College Dublin Brain Trauma Model (UCDBTM) impacts. Current helmet standards for impact determine helmet performance based solely on linear acceleration. Brain injury-related values (stress and strain) from the UCDBTM showed that a performance improvement based on linear acceleration does not imply the same improvement in head injury-related brain tissue loads. It is recommended that angular kinematics be considered in future equestrian helmet standards, as angular acceleration was seen to correlate with stress and strain in the brain.