Development and Evaluation of a Test Method for Assessing the Performance of American Football Helmets

Bailey, Ann; Sanchez, Erin J.; Park, Gwansik; Gabler, Lee F.; Funk, James R.; Crandall, Jeff R.; Wonnacott, Michael; Withnall, Chris; Myers, Barry S.; Arbogast, Kristy B.

doi:10.1007/s10439-020-02626-6

Cited by 30 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The helmets were tested using a pneumatic ram and slider table test fixture (Biokinetics and Associates Ltd., Ottawa, ON, Canada) in 18 test conditions comprised of the full combination of three impact speeds and six impact locations (Table 1). 3 The test conditions were designed to represent impacts characteristic of those that caused concussions in NFL games, as previously described. 3 FIGURE 1.…”

Section: Helmet Testing and Data Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 The test conditions were designed to represent impacts characteristic of those that caused concussions in NFL games, as previously described. 3 FIGURE 1. Laboratory test fixture highlighting the pneumatic ram and slider table, as well as the ram end cap used to simulate an opposing player's helmet.…”

Section: Helmet Testing and Data Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2). 3,20 Test results for both helmet samples of a given model were averaged. Since HARM was derived from metrics associated with head kinematics, a lower HPS indicates better overall helmet performance.…”

Section: Helmet Testing and Data Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2,12,13,45 In addition to NOCSAE, other research institutions have designed laboratory tests to rate or rank helmet performance based on a helmet's ability to reduce measures of head impact severity. 3,39,49 While the development of laboratory test methods has been informed by the characteristics of on-field helmet impacts, relatively few investigations have examined the relationship between the laboratory performance of the helmets and the associated on-field injury rates for football players wearing those helmets. Several studies have examined the influence of helmet model on the risk of concussion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparison of Laboratory and On-Field Performance of American Football Helmets

Bailey¹,

McMurry

Cormier³

et al. 2020

Ann Biomed Eng

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The relationship between laboratory and on-field performance of football helmets was assessed for 31 football helmet models selected from those worn by players in the 2015-2019 National Football League (NFL) seasons. Linear impactor tests were conducted with helmets placed on an instrumented Hybrid III head and neck assembly mounted on a sliding table. Based on impacts to each helmet at six impact locations and three velocities, a helmet performance score (HPS) was calculated using a linear combination of the head injury criterion (HIC) and the diffuse axonal multi-axis general evaluation (DAMAGE). To determine the on-field performance of helmets, helmet model usage, player participation, and incident concussion data were collected from the five NFL seasons and used to calculate helmet model-specific concussion rates. Comparison of laboratory HPS to the helmet model-specific concussion rates on a per play basis showed a positive correlation (r 2 = 0.61, p < 0.001) between laboratory and on-field performance of helmet models, indicating that helmets which exhibited reduced impact severity in the laboratory tests were also generally associated with lower concussion rates on-field. Further analysis showed that NFL-prohibited helmet models exhibited a significantly higher odds of concussion (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.04-1.47; p = 0.017) relative to other helmet models.

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Section: Helmet Testing and Data Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Helmet Testing and Data Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Helmet Testing and Data Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Comparison of Laboratory and On-Field Performance of American Football Helmets

Bailey¹,

McMurry

Cormier³

et al. 2020

Ann Biomed Eng

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Helmet testing was conducted with a Hybrid III 50th percentile male anthropomorphic head and neck surrogate 2 , 4 , 21 , 40 (78051-336, Humanetics Innovative Solutions, Plymouth, MI) that was connected to a vertical drop tower rail (Fig. 2 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact Performance Comparison of Advanced Snow Sport Helmets with Dedicated Rotation-Damping Systems

2021

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Rotational acceleration of the head is a principal cause of concussion and traumatic brain injury. Several rotation-damping systems for helmets have been introduced to better protect the brain from rotational forces. But these systems have not been evaluated in snow sport helmets. This study investigated two snow sport helmets with different rotation-damping systems, termed MIPS and WaveCel, in comparison to a standard snow sport helmet without a rotation-damping system. Impact performance was evaluated by vertical drops of a helmeted Hybrid III head and neck onto an oblique anvil. Six impact conditions were tested, comprising two impact speeds of 4.8 and 6.2 m/s, and three impact locations. Helmet performance was quantified in terms of the linear and rotational kinematics, and the predicted probability of concussion. Both rotation-damping systems significantly reduced rotational acceleration under all six impact conditions compared to the standard helmet, but their effect on linear acceleration was less consistent. The highest probability of concussion for the standard helmet was 89%, while helmets with MIPS and WaveCel systems exhibited a maximal probability of concussion of 67 and 7%, respectively. In conclusion, rotation-damping systems of advanced snow sport helmets can significantly reduce rotational head acceleration and the associated concussion risk.

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