Sternal and/or spinal acceleration data from eighteen of the unembalmed cadaver, blunt thoracic impact experiments reported by the authors at the Eighteenth Stapp Conference have been analyzed and several related response parameters computed.
High acceleration levels, rates of onset, and Gadd Severity Indices were found in sternal acceleration measurements, whereas quite low values were obtained from the spinal regions in the same tests. A Severity Index value of 1000, computed from a sternal acceleration measurement, would be associated with only a mild exposure; whereas for a spinal measurement, the same value would reflect an extremely severe exposure.
Correlation matrices which include cadaver characteristics, input and response parameters, and Abbreviated Injury Scale ratings show that none of the sternal acceleration parameters correlate well with AIS rating in the analyzed data base. Maximum spinal velocity and spinal Severity Index both indicate good correlations with AIS rating; but because of an obvious dependence on the degree of body restraint, they are regarded as less broadly applicable and, therefore, less useful than normalized chest deflection for the indication of severity of thoracic impact exposure.