Technical Paper
Influence of Driver Position and Seat Design on Thoracolumbar Loading During Frontal Impacts
2018-04-03
2018-01-0544
Previous research has detailed contributing factors to thoracolumbar compression fracture injury risk during frontal impacts in motorsport drivers utilizing a nearly recumbent driving position (Katsuhara, Takahira, Hayashi, Kitagawa, & Yasuki, 2017; Trammell, Weaver, & Bock, 2006; Troxel, Melvin, Begeman, & Grimm, 2006). This type of injury is very rare for upright seated motorsport drivers. While numerous improvements have been made to the driver restraint system used in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Incorporated (NASCAR®) since 2000, two instances of lumbar compression fractures have occurred during frontal impacts. Through the use of computation modeling, this study explores the influence of initial driver position and seat ramp design on thoracolumbar loading during frontal impacts.
