Newton’s Laws, G-forces and the Impact on the Brain
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15225/PNN.2019.8.3.6Keywords
concussion, head injury, Newton’s laws, Formula 1Abstract
The thrill to go fast and push boundaries is something that many seek. From John Stapp’s rocket sled at Edwards Air Force Base in the late 1950’s to todays’ Formula 1 drivers, the “need for speed” is broadcast across TV screens weekly. So too are the horror stories of crashes, many at over 300 km/hr. Yet “need for speed” continues. It appears that the higher and faster the rollercoaster, the better. This leads to several questions. How does the brain stand up to speed and G-forces? Do Newton’s Laws still have reference in today’s world?
There has been much attention in the general press on the possibility that high G-force roller-coasters are inducing brain injury in riders. However, research does not wholeheartedly support this notion, but rather the risk of brain injury from a rollercoaster is not in the rides, but in the rider — caused by previously undetected brain or neck conditions. That said there is some truth that high G-forces do affect the brain at a chemical and structural level.
This paper will discuss the mechanism of head injury at speed and generally what Newton’s Law means in a neurological setting in todays’ world. Formula 1 racing and rollercoaster rides will be evaluated within a neuroscience context. (JNNN 2019;8(3):133–137)
References
Slade S.B. Feel the G’s: The Science of Gravity and G-Forces (Headline Science). Compass Point Books, USA 2009.
Pstras L., Thomaseth K., Waniewski J., Balzani I., Bellavere F. The Valsalva manoeuvre: physiology and clinical examples. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2016;217(2):103–119.
Yang W., Sahota R.S., Das S. Snap, crackle and pop: when sneezing leads to crackling in the neck. BMJ Case Rep. 2018, doi: 10.1136/bcr-2016-218906.
Beaudette D. Report on G-force effects on the human body. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. National Technical Information Service. U.S. Department of Commerce, Virginia, USA: 1984.
Atwell C. Extreme Motion Tests Brought Aerospace Safety Innovation. Machine Design. 2017.
Ryan C. Sonic Wind: The Story of John Paul Stapp and How a Renegade Doctor Became the Fastest Man on Earth. 1st Edition. Liveright Publishing, New York 2015.
Evans J. The Big Thrill, The Hidden Danger. Prevention. 2002;54(7):40.
Operation Paget Report — into the death of Diana Princess of Wales. UK Metropolitan Police, 2009.
Bednall J. Jules Bianchi survived 92G impact in horror Formula One crash. Retrieved July 17, 2019, from https://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/formula-one/jules-bianchi-survived-92g-impact-in-horror-formula-one-crash/news story/c381589f42393105511f8413c3b2fd52
Drake A., Haut Donahue T.L., Stansloski M., Fox K., Wheatley B.B., Donahue S.W. Horn and horn core trabecular bone of bighorn sheep rams absorbs impact energy and reduces brain cavity accelerations during high impact ramming of the skull. Acta Biomater. 2016;44:41–50.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau — Fact Sheet. Retrieved June 21, 2019, from www.atsb.gov.au
Smith D.H., Meaney D.F. Roller coasters, g forces, and brain trauma: on the wrong track? J Neurotrauma. 2002;19(10):1117–1120.
Retrieved June 22, 2019, from https://www.biausa.org/.
Yamakami I., Mine S., Yamaura A., Fukutake T. Chronic subdural haematoma after riding a roller coaster. J Clin Neurosci. 2005;12(1):81–83.
Roldan-Valadez E., Facha M.T., Martinez-Lopez M., Herrera-Mora P. Subdural hematoma in a teenager related to roller-coaster ride. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2006;10(4):194–196.
Pfister B.J., Chickola L., Smith D.H. Head motions while riding roller coasters: implications for brain injury. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2009;30(4):339–345.
Kuo C., Wu L.C., Ye P.P., Laksari K., Camarillo D.B., Kuhl E. Pilot Findings of Brain Displacements and Deformations during Roller Coaster Rides. J Neurotrauma. 2017;34(22):3198–3205.
Retrieved July 23, 2018, from https://abcnews.go.com/
Zhu Z., Zhang W., Wu C. Energy conversion in woodpecker on successive peckings and its role on anti-shock protection of brain. Sci China Technol Sci. 2014;57(7):1269–1275.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 284
Number of citations: 0