Citation

Thomas C, Faverjon G, Hartemann F, Tarriere C, Patel MM, Got C. Proc. IRCOBI 1982; 10: 17-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1982, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Literature reviews dealing with rear-end impacts, cervical injuries and the effectiveness of head restraints have already been made by several authors. This paper deals only with the following subjects; (1) frequency and severity of rear-end impact, (2) cervical hyperextension, nature of injuries and symptoms, (3) effectiveness of head restraint, and (4) risk factors of cervical injury by hyperextension. It is shown that poor head restraint effectiveness is probably due to the excessive vertical and mostly horizontal distance between the head and the restraint. The mispositioning of adjustable restraints is not a sufficient explanation because injured people whose cars were equipped with integral seats still suffered from cervical pains. In addition to head restraint height, the horizontal distance between the head and the restraint seems to be a pertinent factor. This distance is probably too important in most cases. Biomechanical tests can allow the evaluation of the optimum distance for head restraint effectiveness. (TRRL)