Biomechanical experiment with restricted movement in cage

Oct. 10, 1967 - Experiments that may affect design of army and Public Transport Vehicles. A 2ft. by 3ft. 10 ins. cage has been designed to find out what happens to the human body when muscular activity is prohibited. The results of the experiments may affect the design of seats in Army and public transport vehicles. Dr. Reginald Whitney, head of the human biomechanical department at the Hampstead laboratories of the National Institute for Medical Research gave a demonstration yesterday. It can be adjusted to allow the man inside four different sitting positions - from an upright one with space to move a little, to another in which he is forced to be almost motionless. Eight soldiers have been used in experiments lasting 32 weeks. Dr. Whitney said they stayed in the cage 24 hours at a time and their movements, heart beats and skin temperature were recorded and the visible effects of their ordeal filmed. The cage, though lighted, was blacked out from the rest of the laboratory - meals being pushed through a trap door at the side of the cage. The soldiers were given psychological tests through a screen mounted inside the cage. Dr. Whitney said: None of the subjects crumbled. The cage was made of flimsy hardboard on one side, so if they did want to leave they could always kick their way out. All of them had had training in tanks. They really were volunteers. We are still on good terms and have had greetings cards - though we have had addressed to the inhuman biochemical dept'. Photo shows Dr. Whitney, right, prepares the cage for a volunteer

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Addressed Adjusted Affect Allow Beats Biochemical Biomechanical Blacked Crumbled Dept Experiments Filmed Flimsy Forced Hampstead Happens Hardboard Inhuman Kick Laboratories Lasting Lighted Meals Motionless Muscular None Ordeal Positions Prepares Prohibited Psychological Pushed Really Recorded Results Seats Stayed Subjects Temperature Terms Tests Though Trap Visible Volunteer Volunteers Whitney

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