Host: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Name : [in Japanese]
Date : May 29, 2024 - June 01, 2024
With the increase in the elderly population, the incidence of fall-related injuries among the elderly is rising. To address this issue, it is necessary to estimate the risk of injuries caused by falls. In this study, we developed a simulator that replicates actual falling motions. This allows for the estimation of the impact force on the hands. The simulator is constructed with a 17-link model, and a spring-damper model is implemented in both hands to calculate the impact force. It generates scenarios from the onset of a fall to a few seconds after the body lands. The simulation included scenarios for both young adults and the elderly to measure the maximum impact force on the hands. The results showed that the elderly experience higher maximum impact forces than young adults. This result indicates that the risk of falling increases with age.
