The performance of protective equipment is intimately related to the ability of the test apparatus to predict (or at least indicate) whether or not under specific conditions a physical injury would have occurred to a person using the device in a similar situation. Automotive type crash helmet testing is one case in particular in which such considerations remain highly contentious.

Among the more critical elements in a helmet impact test method is the headform upon which the helmet is mounted. Though some research has been conducted by others on mechanical impedance characteristics, little has been done to evaluate the specific geometric and physical parameters of the headform as they relate to the apparent performance of a helmet under impact loading conditions.

The present study compares the impact response of cadaver heads and of several different headforms for blows to various regions for both helmeted and unhelmeted conditions over a range of impact levels.

The test data indicates that certain headforms respond in a more 'human-like' manner than do others. Skull stiffness, headform geometry and soft tissue characteristics are shown to be primary elements governing the nature of the forces transmitted through the headform.