Neck Motions and Loads With Head Supported Mass Under Sagittal Accelerative Loading

Studies have reported the susceptibility of females to cervical spine disorders under impact loading in the military and civilian populations. Inertial loading applied to the head-neck complex at its base is an example. Morphological differences exist between female and male cervical necks. The incidence of neck pain is more in the military than in the civilian populations. While use of the head supported mass is less common in the civilian populations, military personnel use head mounted devices: helmet, night vision goggles, etc. Any added head supported mass from the helmet and its attached devices adds to the in vivo head mass. This additional weight on the human head-neck system alters the load path, affects load-sharing, changes the internal forces and moments and kinematics on the osteoligamentous cervical spine column under accelerative and chronic loads. While many studies have been conducted to delineate the role of gender associated with postero-anterior G_x loading injury via experiments, clinical investigations, modeling and epidemiological research, the effect of the added head mass on segmental motions has received less attention. The objective of the study is to determine the role of the head supported mass on the segmental motions and loads on the female cervical spinal column from G_x loading applied to the base of the spine.