Comparison of surrogate 50th percentile human headforms to an adult male sample using three-dimensional modeling and principal component analysis

Abstract

Ice hockey helmets are required to be impact tested while mounted to a surrogate 50th percentile adult male headform. However, head shape and size can vary substantially from user to user. Furthermore, the contact area between a headform and helmet interior has been identified as an important factor affecting the protective capabilities of a helmet. The objective of this study was to compare quantitative measures of head shapes between three 50th percentile adult male headforms and a sample of adult human subjects who wore a medium-sized helmet. Using three-dimensional models of the human subjects and headforms, head shape was quantified by assessing radial distances in two transverse planes of the head and by using principal component analysis to determine the largest components of fit. Notable differences were found between the headforms and human subjects. The headforms were smaller than the human subjects, demonstrating smaller radial distances for the entire head. The principal components of head shape were overall size and roundness of the head. The results of this study demonstrate the headforms are not representative of the sample median.