Biomechanical Study of an Anthropometrically Designed Hip Protector for Older Chinese Women

Biomechanical properties and compliance are 2 essential properties of hip protectors (HPs) that determine their clinical efficacy. This study describes the development of a HP that was anthropometrically designed according to anthropometric data from 68 older Chinese women and with attention paid to the biomechanical properties of the device. A simulated mechanical fall test using a drop weight and a force plate were set up to test the force attenuation properties of the HP. The HP attenuated up to 93% of the impact force, and the remaining force was 2 standard deviations below the mean fracture threshold of the proximal femur. The HP was effective in force attenuation, and the anthropometric data obtained provides important information for the development of HPs adapted for a Chinese population. Further study on the compliance and clinical efficacy of this HP is underway.