Parios Biomechanics Expert Dr. Samuel Howarth, Assesses Helmet Efficacy for Concussion-Related Incidents

Toronto – Dr. Samuel Howarth from Pario Engineering and Environmental Sciences (Pario) has been noted as Pario’s biomechanics expert. Dr. Howarth uses the latest knowledge in biomechanics to assess human dynamics, injury mechanisms, and injury thresholds for injuries resulting from sporting activities, occupational activities, motor vehicle accidents, and slip/trip and fall incidents.

Mild traumatic brain injury (more commonly known as concussion) presents a growing concern both within sports and throughout society. Forensic biomechanics experts are often asked to determine the likelihood that a specific head impact could have resulted in concussion. In a great number of cases, the main concern focuses on whether or not the likelihood of injury would have been sufficiently reduced if the injured person had been wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.

Research has demonstrated that helmets are effective at reducing the biomechanical severity of a head impact. Helmets reduce the severity of an impact primarily by absorbing force in its outer shell and other materials that are between the impact surface and the head of the person wearing the helmet.

By absorbing the impact, the helmet increases the duration over which the impact occurs, and subsequently decreases the maximum force and acceleration imparted to the head of the person wearing the helmet. Recent biomechanical research has been able to relate the magnitude of acceleration experienced during an impact to the probability that a person could sustain a concussion from that impact.

There are several standards (e.g. CSA Z262.1-15 for hockey helmets, CSA Z263.1-14 for recreational alpine skiing and snowboarding helmets) that describe the testing and minimum performance capabilities of helmets during impact. However, findings from several biomechanical studies have demonstrated that no two helmets perform in a similar manner when it comes to protecting the head. A report from a recent study conducted on hockey helmets by researchers at Virginia Tech in the United States found that there was no relationship between a hockey helmet’s cost and its protective capabilities.

In order to assess helmet efficacy, Dr. Howarth determines the severity of the impact in the subject incident. Often this will require a reconstruction of the incident, and include a review of medical documentation to identify specific trauma endured by the injured person. Once the reconstruction has been completed, he uses published data and his own data collected from a mock scenario of the subject incident using exemplar helmets to determine the difference in severity if a helmet had been worn by the injured person. In these cases, he will obtain a range for the difference in severity from multiple tests or sources. The reduction in biomechanical severity is compared against published injury thresholds to determine if the helmet would have provided sufficient protection if worn during the incident.

For more information, or to arrange for a presentation or demonstration please contact:

• Dr. Samuel Howarth
• T: 289 795-3655
• E: samuel.howarth@pariosciences.ca  

About Pario Engineering and Environmental Sciences

Pario Engineering & Environmental Sciences is a multi-disciplinary team of Electrical, Mechanical, Material, Chemical and Structural Engineers supporting the consumer, commercial and insurance industries. Pario’s team of Geologists, Project Managers, Environmental Engineers and Environmental Scientists provides full-service environmental consulting, specializing in spill response and management, site assessment, contaminated site remediation, hazardous materials identification and management, peer review, and subrogation support. Pario provides clients with options, costs, timelines, implications and recommendations for remediation to assist in selecting the most appropriate approach to file closure. Pario also provides focused and responsive consulting service to the insurance, risk management, transportation, and legal industries.

For more information visit http://www.pariosciences.ca