Skull Study Proves Bike Helmets Work(2)

May 1, 2006 (Press Release) -- The researchers found that U.S. standard helmets offered the intended head-injury impact protection in falls originating from as high as three feet off the ground. The tests did not involve drops from heights exceeding three feet, so it's unclear what protection might be offered beyond that level, Sloffer said.

In contrast, un-helmeted skulls experienced impacts approximately four to eight times that of helmeted skulls in the heights tested.

Further tests, designed to simulate accidents involving "crushing situations" -- such as being impacted by a vehicle -- demonstrated that helmeted skulls are able to resist compression at loads as high as 470 pounds. By contrast, un-helmeted skulls fractured under these conditions.

"These tests demonstrated that there is a significant decrease in deceleration -- the force that the head feels when it comes to a quick stop -- if you are wearing a helmet compared to if you are not," said Sloffer.

This benefit should hold up whether a bicyclist simply falls on his or her head, or suffers a crushing impact, the researchers found.

Source: http://health.msn.com/centers