Abstract: The invention relates to a seat assembly capable of absorbing energy during a crash involving a series of impacts by providing a seat back which is relatively flexible to forward directed forces and relatively inflexible to aft directed forces. The seat back includes a seat back frame having a first and second side member. A first and second elongated member are flexible and have a first end, a second end, and a middle region between the first and second end. The elongated members are able to support a tensile load but are unable to support a compressive load. The first elongated member is disposed on a forward face of the first side member, wherein the first end is attached to a lower portion of the forward face, the second end is attached to an upper portion of the forward face, and the middle region is suspended. The second elongated member is disposed on a forward face of the second side member in a similar fashion.