Examining Concussion Rates and Return to Play in High School Football Players Wearing Newer Helmet Technology: A Three-Year Prospective Cohort Study

Collins, Michael James; Lovell, Mark R.; Iverson, Grant L.; Ide, Thad; Maroon, Joseph C.

doi:10.1227/01.neu.0000200441.92742.46

Cited by 219 publications

(144 citation statements)

References 39 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

139

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In 2006, Collins et al observed more than 2000 high school players and reported that the Revolution helmet reduced the risk of concussion by 31% compared with other helmets. 5 This study was limited because it did not account for impact exposure, and the age of non-Revolution helmets was unknown. In 2012, Rowson and Duma analyzed 9 years of head impact data collected from 308 players and reported that the Revolution helmet reduced the risk of concussion by 85% compared with the VSR4 helmet.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can helmet design reduce the risk of concussion in football?

Rowson

Duma

Greenwald

et al. 2014

JNS

113

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

S portS-related concussions were once believed to only result in transient symptoms and neurocognitive impairment. However, recent research has suggested potential links between repetitive concussions and neurodegenerative processes in some athletes. 6,12,13 This work has led to increased awareness and media attention on the possible long-term effects of sports-related concussions. Of all sports, football accounts for the highest incidence of concussion in the US due to the large number of athletes participating and the nature of the sport. While there is general agreement among experts that concussion incidence can be reduced through rule changes and teaching proper tackling technique, there remains debate as to whether helmet design may also reduce the incidence of concussion. 4,11 This question is examined retrospectively by analyzing head impact exposure data collected from a population of collegiate football players equipped with 2 different helmet models. Of all sports, football accounts for the highest incidence of concussion in the US due to the large number of athletes participating and the nature of the sport. While there is general agreement that concussion incidence can be reduced through rule changes and teaching proper tackling technique, there remains debate as to whether helmet design may also reduce the incidence of concussion. A retrospective analysis was performed of head impact data collected from 1833 collegiate football players who were instrumented with helmet-mounted accelerometer arrays for games and practices. Data were collected between 2005 and 2010 from 8 collegiate football teams: Virginia Tech, University of North Carolina, University of Oklahoma, Dartmouth College, Brown University, University of Minnesota, Indiana University, and University of Illinois. Concussion rates were compared between players wearing Riddell VSR4 and Riddell Revolution helmets while controlling for the head impact exposure of each player. A total of 1,281,444 head impacts were recorded, from which 64 concussions were diagnosed. The relative risk of sustaining a concussion in a Revolution helmet compared with a VSR4 helmet was 46.1% (95% CI 28.1%-75.8%). When controlling for each player's exposure to head impact, a significant difference was found between concussion rates for players in VSR4 and Revolution helmets (c 2 = 4.68, p = 0.0305). This study illustrates that differences in the ability to reduce concussion risk exist between helmet models in football. Although helmet design may never prevent all concussions from occurring in football, evidence illustrates that it can reduce the incidence of this injury. Methods Study Population and Data Collection

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can helmet design reduce the risk of concussion in football?

Rowson

Duma

Greenwald

et al. 2014

JNS

113

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…One study evaluated newer football helmet technology in high school athletes, which demonstrated a 31% decrease in relative risk and 2.3% decrease in absolute risk for sustaining a concussion. 117 Laboratory studies of a newer helmet technology suggest a potential 10% decrease in risk of reproduced concussion hits. 118 Continued technologic advances should be applauded, but further independent research and evaluation of these advances is necessary before they can be reported to reduce concussion incidence.…”

Section: Helmets/headgearmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sport-Related Concussion in Children and Adolescents

Halstead¹,

Walter²

2010

Pediatrics

577

445

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sport-related concussion is a "hot topic" in the media and in medicine. It is a common injury that is likely underreported by pediatric and adolescent athletes. Football has the highest incidence of concussion, but girls have higher concussion rates than boys do in similar sports. A clear understanding of the definition, signs, and symptoms of concussion is necessary to recognize it and rule out more severe intracranial injury. Concussion can cause symptoms that interfere with school, social and family relationships, and participation in sports. Recognition and education are paramount, because although proper equipment, sport technique, and adherence to rules of the sport may decrease the incidence or severity of concussions, nothing has been shown to prevent them. Appropriate management is essential for reducing the risk of long-term symptoms and complications. Cognitive and physical rest is the mainstay of management after diagnosis, and neuropsychological testing is a helpful tool in the management of concussion. Return to sport should be accomplished by using a progressive exercise program while evaluating for any return of signs or symptoms. This report serves as a basis for understanding the diagnosis and management of concussion in children and adolescent athletes.

show abstract

“…The role of helmets in preventing concussions is less clear. Although some studies suggest that helmet design might play a role in reducing the incidence of concussion, 93,94 many experts refute such a claim. 82,95,96 In a recent study of more than 2000 high school football players, McGuine et al reported that helmet model had no significant effect on the incidence of sport-related concussion.…”

Section: Rule Changesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tackling in Youth Football

Brenner¹,

LaBella²,

Brooks³

et al. 2015

Pediatrics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

American football remains one of the most popular sports for young athletes. The injuries sustained during football, especially those to the head and neck, have been a topic of intense interest recently in both the public media and medical literature. The recognition of these injuries and the potential for longterm sequelae have led some physicians to call for a reduction in the number of contact practices, a postponement of tackling until a certain age, and even a ban on high school football. This statement reviews the literature regarding injuries in football, particularly those of the head and neck, the relationship between tackling and football-related injuries, and the potential effects of limiting or delaying tackling on injury risk.

show abstract

Examining Concussion Rates and Return to Play in High School Football Players Wearing Newer Helmet Technology: A Three-Year Prospective Cohort Study

Cited by 219 publications

References 39 publications

Can helmet design reduce the risk of concussion in football?

Can helmet design reduce the risk of concussion in football?

Sport-Related Concussion in Children and Adolescents

Tackling in Youth Football

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About