Search Results

Currently, no high impact helmet standards exist for children. To meet the rising demand for these helmets in the youth market, manufacturers have basically downsized adult helmets. Children's heads and necks are very different than are adult's. Therefore, youth helmets do not provide the same level of protection as do adult helmets. We determined head mass and circumference in 128 childhood athletes aged 7 to 17, as well as made 95 separate anthropometric measurements from skull x-rays of children aged 6 to 17. We defined two distinct age groups. Group A, ages 6 to 11, and Group B ages 12 to 17. Comparing these measurements to adult measurements, and using previously reported anatomical differences we were able to show that the heads and necks of children are much different than are adults in mass, circumference and the ratio of head length to neck length. And, that these differences point out real and potential issues with youth helmets.

The Head and Neck Support device (HANS) was developed to reduce the potentially injurious motions to the head and neck during severe frontal and angled-frontal impacts. The effectiveness of the HANS device has been rigorously proven by extensive HyGe sled test work by Daimler-Chrysler (Germany) and reported in two SAE papers (1,2). The aim of this work was to develop appropriate test methodologies and criteria for a new FIA Test Specification to support the integration of the HANS system into the FIA Formula One and Formula 3000 Championships. The new test specification includes requirements for both the HANS system and the HANS to helmet interface. It was also necessary to formulate an objective geometrical definition for the HANS system. The laboratory test configuration was developed to simulate the loading conditions during a dynamic sled test. TRL conducted both proof and destructive tests, in order to establish appropriate criteria.

Head trauma continues to be the most frequent cause of life threatening injury to racing drivers and protecting the driver's head is of prime importance. A head protection system must ensure that any loads or accelerations imparted to the head do not exceed those which may cause injury. The FIA commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) in the UK to develop an advanced protective helmet and to propose an improved standard to which Formula-One protective helmets must comply. Throughout the project, TRL worked closely with the FIA Research Group, Carbon Fibre Technologies-UK, Bell Sports Europe and Snell-USA. During a preliminary phase, the performance of current motorsport helmets was evaluated with regard to both laboratory test and simulated accident conditions. Based on this work, provisional performance criteria were agreed for the improved helmet design.