Because fall experiments with volunteers can be both challenging and risky, especially with older volunteers, we wished to develop computer simulations of falls to provide a theoretical framework for understanding and extending experimental results. To perform a preliminary validation of the articulated total body (ATB) model for passive falls, we compared the model predictions of fall direction, impact location, and impact velocity as a function of disturbance type (faint, slip, step down, trip) and gait speed (fast, normal, slow) to experimental results with young adult volunteers. The three-dimensional ATB model had 17 segments and 16 joints. Its physical characteristics, environment definitions, contact functions, and initial conditions were representative of our experiment. For each combination of disturbance and gait speed, the ATB model was left to fall passively under gravity once disturbed, i.e., no joint torques were applied, until impact with the floor occurred. Finally, we also determined the sensitivity of the model predictions to changes in the model’s parameters. Our model predictions of fall angles and impact angles were qualitatively in agreement with those observed experimentally for ten and seven of the 12 original simulations, respectively. Quantitatively, the model predictions of fall angles, impact angles, and impact velocities were within one experimental standard deviation for seven, three, and nine of the 12 original simulations, respectively, and within two experimental standard deviations for ten, nine, and 11 of the 12 original simulations, respectively. Finally, the fall angle and impact angle region did not change for 92% and 95% of the 74 input variation simulations, respectively, and the impact velocities were within the experimental standard deviations for 78% of the 74 input variation simulations. Based on our simulations and a sensitivity analysis, we conclude that our preliminary validation of the ATB model for passive falls was successful. In fact, these ATB model simulations represent a significant step forward in fall simulations. We believe that with additional work, the ATB model could be used to accurately simulate a variety of human falls and may be useful in further understanding the etiology and mechanisms of fall injuries such as hip fractures.
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e-mail: Cecile.Smeesters@USherbrooke.ca
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June 2007
Technical Papers
Determining Fall Direction and Impact Location for Various Disturbances and Gait Speeds Using the Articulated Total Body Model
Cécile Smeesters,
Cécile Smeesters
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: Cecile.Smeesters@USherbrooke.ca
Université de Sherbrooke
, 2500, boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke (Quebec) J1K 2R1 Canada
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Wilson C. Hayes,
Wilson C. Hayes
Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory
, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, RN115, Boston, MA 02215
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Thomas A. McMahon
Thomas A. McMahon
Biomechanics Laboratory, Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences,
Harvard University
, Pierce Hall 110A, Cambridge, MA 02138; and Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory
, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, RN115, Boston, MA 02215
Search for other works by this author on:
Cécile Smeesters
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Université de Sherbrooke
, 2500, boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke (Quebec) J1K 2R1 Canadae-mail: Cecile.Smeesters@USherbrooke.ca
Wilson C. Hayes
Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory
, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, RN115, Boston, MA 02215
Thomas A. McMahon
Biomechanics Laboratory, Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences,
Harvard University
, Pierce Hall 110A, Cambridge, MA 02138; and Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory
, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, RN115, Boston, MA 02215J Biomech Eng. Jun 2007, 129(3): 393-399 (7 pages)
Published Online: August 6, 2006
Article history
Received:
March 21, 2004
Revised:
August 6, 2006
Citation
Smeesters, C., Hayes, W. C., and McMahon, T. A. (August 6, 2006). "Determining Fall Direction and Impact Location for Various Disturbances and Gait Speeds Using the Articulated Total Body Model." ASME. J Biomech Eng. June 2007; 129(3): 393–399. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2737432
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