Integrating Biomechanics and Probability: A Novel Framework for Helmet Impact Evaluation in Sports Injury

Abstract

This study introduces a framework for the evaluation of helmet protective performance in sports-related head injuries, including Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and concussion. The significance of this framework lies in its capacity to assess the performance of helmets in various impact conditions through simulations or experimental tests utilizing a range of evaluation metrics. Unlike existing testing protocols, this model is not confined to a set of pre-determined scenarios and metrics, and it incorporates the probability of each impact situation. An OR tree structure is employed to systematically represent a spectrum of impact configurations, such as impact locations, angles, and velocities, with an assigned probability value for each node. This facilitates a comprehensive analysis of potential impacts, generating a probabilistic evaluation for each configuration. The framework can employ multiple metrics, such as Head Injury Criteria (HIC), peak acceleration, and brain strain, to determine the helmet's overall protective efficacy, considering the likelihood of each impact scenario. Furthermore, this framework is designed to serve as an objective function for the optimization of helmet design. The present study also includes a case study to illustrate the practical application of the proposed method.