TITLE:
A Review of Blunt Head Injury Mechanisms and Target Testing Studies with Ballistic Impact Helmet Protection
AUTHORS:
Guangming Yang, Haipeng Li, Yongsheng Zhao, Chao Chen, Ao Wu
KEYWORDS:
Ballistic Impact, Helmet Protection, Blunt Head Injury Mechanisms, Target Testing Techniques, High-Simulation Head Model
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Engineering and Technology,
Vol.13 No.3,
August
29,
2025
ABSTRACT: With the rise in military conflicts and law enforcement needs, there is a growing demand for head protection equipment performance, particularly in terms of protection efficacy against non-penetrating blunt head injuries from ballistic impact. This paper provides a summary of recent advancements in research on the mechanisms and target testing of blunt head injuries under ballistic impact helmet protection. It begins by examining the mechanisms of ballistic head blunt impact injuries, including shock wave transmission, skull-brain tissue interaction, and resulting biological responses, laying a scientific foundation for understanding blunt head impact injuries. To accurately assess the severity and risk of blunt head impact injuries, the paper introduces evaluation criteria and explores their applicability in assessing the effectiveness of ballistic impact helmets in blunt impact injury prevention. Building on this, the paper delves into the role of target testing in evaluating helmet protection effectiveness and blunt head injury mechanisms, analyzing the strengths and limitations of different target tests in simulating real ballistic impact scenarios, evaluating helmet performance, and uncovering blunt head injury mechanisms. It also anticipates the future development direction of target testing technology using highly realistic head models and outlines potential areas for future research. This review serves as a valuable reference for understanding blunt head injury mechanisms under ballistic impact helmet protection, optimizing target testing technology, and advancing related protection standards.