Journal article
Assessing the Influence of Reclined Vehicle Seatback Configurations with and without a Belt-Positioning Booster on Child Posture via Pressure Mapping
SAE International journal of transportation safety, v 14(1), 09-14-01-0004
31 May 2026
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Objective: This study sought to implement pressure mapping methodology to assess variation in children’s center of force positions in reclined vehicle scenarios. Methods: Thirty-four children between 4 and 12 y (8.1 ± 2.0 y) were statically evaluated on a vehicle seat across two seating conditions (with and without a backless booster) and three seatback recline conditions (25°, 45°, and 60°). Center of force was recorded using pressure sensors attached to the seating surface. Average center of force fore/aft positions were calculated and transformed into the vehicle coordinate system using 3D coordinate measurements. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess variation in center of force position across seating and recline conditions, with subject included as a random effect. Results: Center of force fore/aft position varied (p < 0.05) with recline condition, seating condition, and the recline/seating condition interaction term. On the booster, the average center of force position became more aft in the 45° (131.1 ± 17.5 mm) and 60° (125.5 ± 16.7 mm) conditions compared to 25° (148.7 ± 17.4 mm). Without the booster, the center of force also became more aft in the 45° (197.7 ± 31.1 mm) condition compared to the 25° condition (204.6 ± 29.1 mm), but the position in the 60° (206.1 ± 31.8 mm) condition was similar. As children assumed more reclined postures, the center of force became more aft, except for the no-booster 60° condition. Discussion: Changes in center of force followed the same trends observed in the pelvis and lower extremity position (became more aft) with increasing seatback recline on the booster and smaller changes observed on the no-booster condition. Future work should investigate additional vehicle/booster geometries and longer seating durations. The changes in center of force observed with seatback recline emphasize the importance of understanding how real children modify their posture over time to different vehicle environments as posture directly influences belt fit, occupant–restraint interaction, and injury risk. Center of force data can inform the positioning of child surrogates in future dynamic evaluations of reclined configurations.
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Details
- Title
- Assessing the Influence of Reclined Vehicle Seatback Configurations with and without a Belt-Positioning Booster on Child Posture via Pressure Mapping
- Creators
- Gretchen H. Baker - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterRosalie R. Connell - Lafayette CollegeValentina Graci - Drexel UniversityJulie A. Mansfield - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
- Publication Details
- SAE International journal of transportation safety, v 14(1), 09-14-01-0004
- Publisher
- SAE International
- Number of pages
- 20
- Grant note
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Ohio State University (OSU)
The authors would like to acknowledge the National Science Foundation (NSF) -founded Center for Child Injury Prevention Studies at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and The Ohio State University (OSU) for sponsoring this study, and its Industry Advisory Board (IAB) members for their support, valuable input and advice. The views presented are those of the authors and not necessarily the views of CHOP, OSU, the NSF, or the IAB members. The authors would like to thank child volunteers and their caregivers for their participation as this work would not have been possible without them. Additionally, the authors would like to thank the Injury Biomechanics Research Center faculty, staff, and students for their support of this study, especially Dr. Yun-Seok Kang, Dr. Allison Guettler, Dr. Rosalie Connell, Kasey Stammen, Blake Wood, Chloe Schroeder, Caitlyn Picard, Alekhya Ganti, Rose Schaffer, Ty Bolte, Greta Yugovich, and Kelly Labant.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Medicine Graduate Programs; School of Biomedical Engineering and Science
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001768522200005
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105035346652
- Other Identifier
- 991022172655804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Transportation Science & Technology