The purpose of this study was to determine chest impact responses and injury thresholds due to gender differences based on a retrospective review of published data. Data from 83 cadaveric frontal and lateral blunt impacts to the chest and 96 isolated rib bending tests were selected to characterize chest biomechanical properties. Variables selected for analysis were relevant cadaveric information, test conditions, chest impact response and resulting chest injuries. It was found that chest stiffness was significantly higher in males than in females in frontal impact. Similarly, the cross-sectional area and bending stiffness of female ribs were significantly lower than those of males. More research is needed to determine injury thresholds for lateral impact due to gender differences. For the covering abstract see E135170.
Samenvatting