Numerical Modelling of Head Impact Biomechanics in Female Youth Soccer: Finite Element Head Model Validation and Application

  • Cardoso, Carlos (University of Aveiro)
  • Silva, Afonso (University of Aveiro)
  • Costa, Nina (University of Aveiro)
  • Sousa, Ricardo (University of Aveiro)

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In contact sports and especially in soccer, traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a vital health issue, and female athletes are still underrepresented in biomechanical and clinical research [1,2]. Finite element head models (FEHMs) have become critical in the evaluation of brain tissue deformation in realistic impact conditions and in guiding injury prevention measures [3-5]. The current study developed an improved Female Finite Element Head Model (FeFEHM), Fig. 1, a surface-based hexahedral brain and cranium model, quantitatively validated and employed in eight real soccer heading scenarios. The model incorporates accurate anatomies of cortical and trabecular layers of skull, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), lateral ventricles, dura mater, falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli, corpus callosum (CC), and pituitary gland (PG). The coupled viscohyperelastic material formulations are based on existing experimental data derived from brain tissue characterisation studies [6,7]. Quantitative validation is done by recreating the intracranial pressure responses in the N=37 Nahum frontal impact experiment and comparing the numerical predictions with the CORA correlation methodology [8,9], resulting in fair to excellent agreements of the cranial regions across the experiment. Numerical reconstructions of eight heading loads on female youth soccer players fitted with a Triax sensor-integrated headband are presented [2]. Explicit dynamic simulations in Abaqus processed linear and rotational kinematic profiles, applied to the head centre of gravity (COG). Maximum principal strain (MPS), von Mises stress, and intracranial pressure are the used measures to determine the mechanical response of brain tissues. Percentile strain metrics and volume fraction measures are employed [9]. Simulations results revealed a strong regional difference in the exposure to strains, where the CC and cerebral grey matter undergo an increased level of deformation, but lower level of strain is seen in the cerebral white matter. Similar proportions of tissue which exceed prescribed strain thresholds do not always relate to similar magnitudes of peak strain, highlighting the complementary distribution-based and percentile-based measures of injury. Observed patterns of deformation agree with coup-contrecoup dynamics, as well as stress wave propagation processes. The employed methodology provides a validated and anatomically detailed FEHM to study head impact biomechanics. Therefore, combining wearable senso