TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2006//
TI  - An analysis of maximum vehicle G forces and brain injury in motorsports crashes
JO  - Medicine and science in sports and exercise
A1  - Weaver, Christopher S.
A1  - Sloan, Brian K.
A1  - Brizendine, Edward J.
A1  - Bock, H.
SP  - 246
EP  - 249
VL  - 38
IS  - 2
N2  - PURPOSE:: Traumatic brain injury from automobile crashes is a major source of trauma deaths. The investigation of crashes to understand factors of occupant injuries is an established practice. Our objective was to evaluate the association between vehicle G forces (G) sustained on impact and brain injury in motor sports crashes. METHODS:: We analyzed data regarding Indy Racing League (IRL) car crashes from 1996 to 2003 and compared the likelihood of head injury in those drivers who were in a vehicle that sustained an impact of >/=50 G versus those with a lesser impact. The mean maximal G for those with head injury was compared with those without head injury. RESULTS:: We analyzed 374 crashes. A driver in a crash with an impact of >/=50 G developed a head injury 16.0% (30/188) versus 1.6% (3/186) in those of <50 G (P < 0.001). The mean peak G for those with head injury was 79.6 (SD 28.5) versus 50.6 (SD 28.0) in those with no head injury (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION:: Findings were that IRL car crashes with peak vehicle G >/= 50 were associated with the development of traumatic brain injuries.
LA  - 
SN  - 0195-9131
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000184773.07870.5e
ID  - ref1
ER  -