This study aims to explore and evaluate the effect of various foot positions on the kinematic and kinetic response of the lower extremity during frontal crashes using a realistic vehicle interior. Frontal impact sled tests were performed with the Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint, 50th-percentile Male (THOR-50M) and Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint, 5th-percentile Female (THOR-05F) anthropometric test device (ATD) in the driver’s seat of a midsize SUV testing buck (with realistic interior components including an instrument panel with steering wheel and steering wheel airbag, seat, three-point seat belt with pretensioner and force-limiter, accelerator pedal, brake pedal, knee airbag, and seat belt retractor pretensioner). Six sled tests were performed in two principal directions of force (PDOF) three each in frontal (0°) and oblique (−20°) configurations. The right foot was positioned on the accelerator pedal, fully on the brake, and half on the brake. A single test was conducted with the THOR-05F in an oblique configuration with the foot on the accelerator. Ankle response was analyzed from internal ATD instrumentation. Restraint engagement was found to be consistent across all testing cases. Ankle moment and angle varied based on PDOF and the tested foot condition. Right ankle moment ranged from 70 to −70 Nm in inversion/eversion. Right ankle angles ranged from 37° inversion to 28° eversion. Left ankle moment ranged from 10 to −41 Nm in inversion/eversion. Left ankle angles ranged from 10° eversion to 23° inversion. Differences in lower extremity motion and loading were observed for each testing condition. Placing the foot on the accelerator pedal produced greater ankle moment than either brake pedal condition. Placing the foot on the brake pedal resulted in the highest dorsiflexion angle response. Obliquity increased ankle moment and rotation for both ankles. The United States New Car Assessment Program (US-NCAP) foot position with an oblique PDOF created the highest ankle moment while the in-line brake position in oblique created the highest dorsiflexion rotation. By combining these findings with other efforts focused on naturalistic driving and foot positioning, these results might aid in development of additional testing practices that might enhance our understanding of the lower extremity in nonstandard initial positions.
Noss et al. (Mon,) studied this question.