Experimental Validation of Subject-Specific Dynamics Model for Predicting Impact Force in Sideways Fall

Abstract

Sideways fall has been identified as the most critical situation for the elderly to develop hip fractures. The impact force onto the greater trochanter is the key factor for predicting fracture risk. For the elderly, the impact force can only be determined by dynamics simulations, and the dynamics model must be first validated by experiments before it can be applied in clinic. In this study, subject-specific whole-body dynamics models constructed from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images of the subjects were validated by controlled and protected fall tests using young volunteers. The validation results suggested that subject-specific dynamics model is much more accurate in predicting impact force induced in sideways fall than conventional non-subject-specific dynamics model. Therefore, subject-specific dynamics model can be applied in clinic to improve the accuracy of assessing hip fracture risk.