FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-62/13

Title and Subtitle: Kinematic behavior of the human body during deceleration

Report Date: June 1962

Authors: Swearingen JJ, Hasbrook AH, Snyder RG, McFadden EB

Abstract: The geometry of motion of the head, trunk and appendages was established for one hundred male subjects restrained by a safety belt during forward and side dynamic loadings. Lethal structures of present aircraft seating and cockpit arrangements are revealed by correlating crash injuries with these kinematic data. In addition an analysis of the forces created by the body kinematics during forward deceleration sheds new light on seat anchorage problems.

Key Words: geometry, motion, human body, seat, cockpit, kinematics, deceleration

No. of Pages: 10