Journal of Forensic Biomechanics

Geoffrey Thor Desmoulin

Publications

• Research Article
  A Biomechanical Method for Reconstruction of Tumbling Trampoline-Associated Cervical Spine Injuries Using Human and Anthropometric Test Dummy Data
  Author(s): Geoffrey Thor Desmoulin, Marc Rabinoff, Brad Stolz and Michael GilbertGeoffrey Thor Desmoulin, Marc Rabinoff, Brad Stolz and Michael Gilbert
  
  BackgroundRebound devices such as trampolines are associated with catastrophic spinal cord injuries. Cadaveric studies have reported thresholds for injuries that can be applied to the case of failed acrobatics such as backward somersaults. However, it remains unclear whether falls on rebound surfaces should be expected to cause neurological injuries in the majority of cases or only in unfortunate exceptions. The purpose of the current study is to demonstrate the risk of injury associated with a failed backflip performed on a rebound device such as a trampoline or tumbling trampoline.MethodsBackward somersault kinematic data was acquired using subjects fitted with a safety harness. This data was then applied to a testing rig designed to set a Hybrid III Anthropometric Test Dummy (ATD) in rotation and released at precise timing so as t.. View More»
  

  Abstract PDF