Physical intolerance of the body to the traumatic forces in an automobile crash are more likely to result in signficant injury and should be considered more significant than other co-morbid factors.

Physcial intolerance factors listed in this paper were changes in "bone density, lean muscle mass, [and] pliability of tissues."  (Newgard, 2008 p. 1503).  As occupants age, they become inherently more fragile and less tolerant to the multitude of forces involved in a motor vehicle collision.

Medical fragility, as measured by crash-related morality rates, has been previously demonstrated (Li 3t al. 2003 p. 1503).  This study found there is no real cut off point relating to age.  Pre-existing changes (aka medical fragility) are the key factors.  Therefore, the physiological age of the body is a more important prognostic factor than the actual chronological age and arthritic degeneration, no mater the age of the occupant.

This is a key risk factor (one of many) rendering an increased incidence of bodily injury."  For more information, you may contact Dr. Scott Moore, a chiropractor in Lakeland, Florida who was kind enough to forward this information along to me.