Evaluation of two rotational helmet technologies to decrease peak rotational acceleration in cycling helmets

Abstract

The risk of brain trauma has been associated with the rotational kinematics leading to the development of helmets with a variety rotational management technologies. The purpose of this paper was to employ a rotation specific test protocol to evaluate the effectiveness of two of these technologies. Dynamic response of the head was measured to assess the performance of each technology. Three cycling helmets with identical construction were included in this study. One helmet with no rotational technology, an established, commercial technology and a novel helmet rotational technology designed and assembled by the authors were tested. A drop test onto a 45° anvil was used to measure the ability of each helmet to manage the dynamic response of the head form during a series of impacts. The results revealed both rotational helmet technologies resulted in lower peak rotational acceleration and brain strain, however each technology demonstrated unique performance characteristics depending on the impact condition.

Head-ground impact conditions and helmet performance in E-scooter falls

“…Several rotational management technologies (e.g. low-friction layers and fluid-filled bladders) of helmets have been developed to mitigate the head rotational kinematics during impacts (Hoshizaki et al, 2022). Test protocols involving oblique impacts have also been proposed to evaluate the helmet efficiency in reducing the head rotational kinematics (Deck et al, 2019;Hoshizaki et al, 2022).…”

Neurotrauma Prevention Review: Improving Helmet Design and Implementation

“…2,7 This has promoted the development of various new helmets incorporating rotational acceleration testing and rotational damping technology that may decrease concussion incidence or magnitude. 98,99 For example, Hoshizaki et al 98 employed drops onto a 45° anvil to simulate the rotational dynamics of head impacts, showing that two helmets fitted with rotational damping technologies better mitigated rotational acceleration compared to a standard helmet. DiGiacomo et al 99 similarly used drops onto a 45° anvil to show that rotational damping-based snow helmets significantly reduce rotational acceleration and concussion probability compared to standard helmets.…”

Neurotrauma Prevention Review: Improving Helmet Design and Implementation

“…Nonetheless, as described in this review, current helmets may not be effective in preventing concussions or mild TBIs [ 2 , 7 ]. This has promoted the development of various new helmets incorporating rotational acceleration testing and rotational damping technology that may decrease concussion incidence or magnitude [ 93 – 96 ]. For example, Hoshizaki et al [ 93 ] employed drops onto a 45° anvil to simulate the rotational dynamics of head impacts, showing that two helmets (WAVECEL and MIPS) fitted with rotational damping technologies better mitigated rotational acceleration compared to a standard helmet.…”

“…This has promoted the development of various new helmets incorporating rotational acceleration testing and rotational damping technology that may decrease concussion incidence or magnitude [ 93 – 96 ]. For example, Hoshizaki et al [ 93 ] employed drops onto a 45° anvil to simulate the rotational dynamics of head impacts, showing that two helmets (WAVECEL and MIPS) fitted with rotational damping technologies better mitigated rotational acceleration compared to a standard helmet. DiGiacomo et al [ 94 ] similarly used drops onto a 45° anvil to show that rotational damping-based snow helmets significantly reduce rotational acceleration and concussion probability compared to standard helmets.…”