Head injuries account for 15% of snowsport-related injuries, and the majority of
head impacts occur against ice or snow, low-friction surfaces. Therefore, this
study aimed to evaluate how surface friction affects snowsport helmets’ oblique
impact kinematics. Ten helmet models were impacted using an oblique drop tower
with a 45-degree anvil and NOCSAE headform, at three locations, two surface
friction conditions, and a drop speed of 5.0 m/s. Our findings indicate that
friction affects peak linear acceleration, peak rotational acceleration, and
peak rotational velocity during helmet impacts, with changes in post-impact
rotation and impact response varying by location. Surface friction affects head
impact kinematics, underscoring the need for sport-specific lab testing and
emphasizing the need for friction-specific and sport-specific testing,
particularly for snowsports, where surface conditions like snow and ice can
alter kinematics.
