Seating Configuration

Impact Object

Neck Injury

Type

Diagram

Dir

Object

Shape / Stiffness

Injury Mechanisms

Injury Type

Unidirectional

High Seat Backs

Fwd

No Impact

No Impact

Indirect loading –

Relative head / torso motion following head impact with upper seat back

Extension Injuries – Ranging from ligament strains to vertebrae fracture and spinal column injuries with neck dislocation

Unidirectional

Low Seat backs

Fwd

Seat upper edge or grab handle

Blunt / Moderate

Direct impact – high impact loads

Lacerations, contusions and cartilage damage to front of the neck. Ranging from minor to severe

If severe could be associated with cervical spine soft tissue damage and dislocation

Fwd

No impact

No Impact

If head impact with upper seat back as per high seat back

As per high seat back

Open Bay

Fwd

No Impact

No Impact

Indirect loading – High compressive loads following head impact with seat upper cushion

Compressive loads – Ranging from minor vertebrae cartilage damage to vertebrae fractures and dislocation

Bay with table

Fwd

No Impact

No Impact

Very minor indirect loading following abdomen impact and thorax / head rotation

Flexion Injuries – Minor soft tissue damage under tensile and flexion loads

Lateral

Fwd Rwd

No Impact

No Impact

Indirect loading following shoulder impact with wall / seat back due to head inertia

Lateral bending injuries – Minor soft tissue and vertebrae cartilage damage. Low risk of vertebrae fracture and cervical spine dislocation

Exposed Seat

Fwd

No Impact

No Impact

In direct loading from either head or torso impacts

Extension, flexion and compression injuries.  Difficult to specified actual injuries

Standing

Fwd

No Impact

No Impact

In direct loading from either head or torso impacts

Extension, flexion and compression injuries.  Difficult to specified actual injuries

Fwd

Seat upper edge or grab handle

Blunt / Moderate

Direct impact – high impact loads

Lacerations, contusions and cartilage damage to front of the neck. Ranging from minor to severe

If severe could be associated with cervical spine soft tissue damage and dislocation

Unidirectional

Bay Seating

High Backs

Rwd

No Impact

No Impact

Very low in direct load produced by head inertia prior to impacting upper seat back

Hyperextension injuries (Whiplash) - Ligament strains

Unidirectional

Bay Seating

Low Backs

Rwd

No Impact

No Impact

In direct loads produced by head inertia as there is no restraint for head motion

Hyperextension injuries (Whiplash) – Ligament strains, soft tissue damage to vertebrae fracture and spine dislocation