The biomechanical signature of loss of consciousness: computational modelling of elite athlete head injuries

Karl Zimmerman, Janie Cournoyer, Helen Lai, Samuel B. Snider, David Fischer, Simon Kemp, Clara Karton, T. Blaine Hoshizaki, Mazdak Ghajari, David Sharp

Brain, 2022

Abstract

Sports related head injuries can cause transient neurological events including loss of consciousness and dystonic posturing. However, it is unknown why head impacts that appear similar produce distinct neurological effects. The biomechanical effect of impacts can be estimated using computational models of strain within the brain. Here, we investigate the strain and strain rates produced by professional American football impacts that led to loss of consciousness, posturing or no neurological signs. We reviewed 1280 National Football League American football games and selected cases where the team's medical personnel made a diagnosis of concussion. Videos were then analysed for signs of neurological events. We identified 20 head impacts that showed clear video signs of loss of consciousness and 21 showing clear abnormal posturing. Forty-one control impacts were selected where there was no observable evidence of neurological signs, resulting in 82 videos of impacts for analysis. Video analysis was used to guide physical reconstructions of these impacts, allowing us to estimate the impact kinematics. These were then used as input to a detailed 3D high-fidelity finite element model of…

Cite as (BibTeX)

@article{zimmerman-2022-the-biomechanical-signature-of,
  title={The biomechanical signature of loss of consciousness: computational modelling of elite athlete head injuries},
  author={Karl Zimmerman and Janie Cournoyer and Helen Lai and Samuel B. Snider and David Fischer and Simon Kemp and Clara Karton and T. Blaine Hoshizaki and Mazdak Ghajari and David Sharp},
  journal={Brain},
  year={2022},
  doi={10.1093/brain/awac485}
}