Effects of Muscle Activation on Occupant Kinematics in Frontal Impacts

Abstract

Human occupant responses in motor vehicle collisions are commonly predicted and evaluated using computational models and anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs). However, these are validated using post mortem human surrogate (PMHS) studies, which do not include the effects of muscle activation. Studies have shown that tensed muscles can change occupant kinematics and subsequently the kinetics during an automotive collision [1,2,3]. Consequently, the resulting injury patterns can be altered based on muscle activation. Continued development and validation of the aforementioned research tools necessitates further analysis of the effects of muscle activation on an occupant’s biomechanical response in car crashes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of muscle tension on the occupant kinematics and kinetics in low-speed frontal sled tests.