Biomechanics of concussion

Clin Sports Med. 2011 Jan;30(1):19-31, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2010.08.009.

Abstract

The rising awareness of the long-term health problems associated with concussions re-emphasizes the need for understanding the mechanical etiology of concussions. This article reviews past studies defining the common mechanisms for mild traumatic brain injury and summarizes efforts to convert the external input to the head (force, acceleration, and velocity) into estimates of motions and deformations of the brain that occur during mild traumatic brain injury. Studies of how these mechanical conditions contribute to the cellular mechanisms of damage in mild traumatic brain injury are reviewed. Finally, future directions for improving understanding concussion biomechanics are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acceleration
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Athletic Injuries / etiology
  • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Brain Concussion / epidemiology*
  • Brain Concussion / etiology
  • Brain Concussion / prevention & control
  • Brain Injuries / epidemiology
  • Brain Injuries / etiology
  • Brain Injuries / prevention & control
  • Energy Transfer
  • Humans
  • Population Surveillance
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology