Based on the linked source; automatically prepared and checked against the original report.
Study design
Researchers developed finite-element models pairing five human body profiles with scalable manual wheelchair models. The profiles included small female, small obese female, midsize male, large male and large obese male occupants. A validated Ki Mobility Catalyst 5 model provided the baseline, while an automated MATLAB process adjusted wheelchair dimensions, integrated each body model and fitted the seat belt.
Crash simulations
Thirty frontal-impact simulations compared fixed belts, load-limiting advanced belts and advanced belts with airbags. Researchers also tested four-point straps and UDIG tiedowns, measuring head, chest, rib, femur and lower-tibia injury indicators. Customized wheelchair dimensions improved predicted seat-width and seat-height accuracy against volunteer data, reducing root-mean-square error by 25.5% and 66.4%, respectively.
Reported findings
Occupant characteristics were the strongest contributors to femur and chest injury measures, while restraint configuration was the next-largest contributor to chest rib-strain results. The large obese male profile showed the highest modeled head and chest risks, associated in the study with belt fit and greater inertia. Load-limiters reduced modeled chest risks by about 30% on average, and airbags produced further reductions across body regions.
