Effects of muscle tense on impact responses of lower extremity.

This paper describes investigation on the effects of muscle tensing in bracing on impact responses of driver's lower extremity in frontal impacts. From an experimental volunteer test data using a male subject, 33 muscle activation levels of right lower extremity for his maximal voluntary contraction in pressing on a brake pedal were predicted by a musculoskeletal model and then used for a human FE model. Parametric studies on pedal impactsto the foot with three pre-impact muscular conditions reveal that activated thigh muscles can increase axial compressive force and possibility of bone fractures at the tibia. For the covering abstract see ITRD E141762.