![]() The collective data were interpreted using established head kinematic parameters and compared to known thresholds of brain injury. To address the general misunderstanding of the role of high G forces and TBI in typical daily activities, we examined real-time 3-D head motions of volunteers during roller coaster rides, low speed car crashes and strikes with a pillow. The direction (linear and rotational in three dimensions), duration and magnitude of the motion are all important parameters to accurately determine if TBI thresholds have been exceeded. Rather, all the kinematic parameters of head motion must be considered. ![]() A long history of brain injury and motor vehicle safety research has shown that a peak G force measurement alone is a very poor measure to determine the probability of injury to the brain 1, 4 – 8, 11, 12, 34, 35. The source of confusion appears to be a fundamental misunderstanding of how G forces play a role in the biomechanics of TBI. In addition, by using a simple mathematical model, our group previously calculated that the peak head accelerations during roller coaster rides were far below standardized thresholds for injury 30. To the contrary, two independent scientific panels and an engineering consulting firm failed to find a connection between brain injury and roller coaster riding 27 – 29. It is important to note, however, there is no scientific evidence demonstrating that G forces induced by amusement park rides pose any risk of TBI. As such, legislative acts have proposed to limit the level of G forces on amusement park rides at the state level 21, 24, 25 and regulation of the amusement park industry at the federal level 20, 21, 24, 26. Without regard to years of scientific head injury research, news reports and anecdotal medical case reports have inspired legal suits for substantial monetary damages on behalf of roller coaster riders. Misperceptions of the relationship between high risk activities, G forces and TBI have had a surprisingly broad impact in our society. ![]() Accordingly, news stories that quote physicians frequently attribute high G forces induced by roller coasters to causing TBI in some riders 20 – 23. A recent review in a medical journal concluded that "emergency physicians should consider amusement park rides a possible cause of unexplained neurologic events", related to "dangerously high G forces" 19. For instance, a series of medical case reports have described a potential causal relationship between intracranial hemorrhage and riding ‘high G force’ roller coasters 14 – 18. Gravitational force (G force), a directionless quantity of linear acceleration, is often inappropriately reported as the sole risk factor for brain injury. ![]() However, in both the general press and medical literature there has been confusion over how head motions are linked to TBI. Injury thresholds based on the biomechanics of head motion have been extensively characterized and used as standards to determine the effectiveness of head protection measures 7 – 13. An accidental yet serious blow to the head can cause brain injury due to extremely rapid head motions that translates to damaging deformation of brain tissue 1 – 6. It is well recognized that many everyday activities involve a risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) such as bike riding, roller blading, or playing contact sports. As such, there appears to be an extremely low risk of TBI due to the head motions induced by roller coaster rides. Notably, the linear and rotational components of head acceleration during roller coaster rides were milder than those induced by many common activities. An 8.05m/s car crash lead to the largest head injury criterion measure (HIC 15) of 28.1 and head impact factor (HIP) of 3.41, over six times larger than the roller coaster rides of 4.1 and 0.36. Data was analyzed and compared to published data using similar analyses of head motions. Three dimensional head motions were measured during three different roller coaster rides, a pillow fight, and car crash simulations. Established head injury criterions and procedures were employed to compare the potential of TBI between daily activities and roller coaster riding. Head injury research, however, has shown that G-forces alone cannot predict TBI. Case reports of TBI around the time of riding roller coasters have led many medical professionals to assert that the high gravitational forces (G-forces) induced by roller coasters pose a significant TBI risk. The risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) while riding roller coasters has received substantial attention.
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