Although they receive less attention than hip fractures, head trauma including traumatic brain injuries (TBI) also pose a major threat to the health of older adults. Similar to hip fractures, head injuries in seniors are precipitated by falls in up to 90% of cases. The demographics of TBI are bimodal, with incidence peaking in children/young adults and persons older than 65 years of age. Perhaps most importantly, approximately half of all fall-related deaths in seniors are caused by TBI. Our lab uses biomechanical tools and approaches to examine the effects of engineering interventions on indices of head injury risk in both young and older adults. Intervention approaches of interest include helmets and flooring products.
