How Shell Add-On Products Influence Varsity Football Helmet Performance?

Autor: Stark NE; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA., Begonia MT; Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, Virginia Tech, 325 Stanger St., Kelly Hall 120, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA. mbegonia@vt.edu., Jung C; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA., Rowson S; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Annals of biomedical engineering [Ann Biomed Eng] 2024 Nov; Vol. 52 (11), pp. 2923-2931. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Oct 02.
DOI: 10.1007/s10439-024-03627-5
Abstrakt: Purpose: The study purpose was to investigate the laboratory-based performance of three commercially available shell add-on products under varsity-level impact conditions.
Methods: Pendulum impact tests were conducted at multiple locations (front, front boss, rear, side) and speeds (3.1, 4.9, 6.4 m/s) using two helmet models. Tests were performed with a single add-on configuration for baseline comparisons and a double add-on configuration to simulate collisions with both players wearing shell add-ons. A linear mixed-effect model was used to evaluate peak linear acceleration (PLA), peak rotational acceleration (PRA), and concussion risk, which was calculated from a bivariate injury risk function, based on shell add-on and test configuration.
Results: All shell add-ons decreased peak head kinematics and injury risk compared to controls, with the Guardian NXT producing the largest reductions (PLA: 7.9%, PRA: 14.1%, Risk: 34.1%) compared to the SAFR Helmet Cover (PLA: 4.5%, PRA: 9.3%, Risk: 24.7%) and Guardian XT (PLA: 3.2%, PRA: 5.0%, Risk: 15.5%). The same trend was observed in the double add-on test configuration. However, the Guardian NXT (PLA: 17.1%; PRA: 11.5%; Risk: 62.8%) and SAFR Helmet Cover (PLA: 12.2%; PRA: 9.1%; Risk: 52.2%) produced larger reductions in peak head kinematics and injury risk than the Guardian XT (PLA: 5.7%, PRA: 2.2%, Risk: 21.8%).
Conclusion: In laboratory-based assessments that simulated varsity-level impact conditions, the Guardian NXT was associated with larger reductions in PLA, PRA, and injury risk compared to the SAFR Helmet Cover and Guardian XT. Although shell add-ons can enhance head protection, helmet model selection should be prioritized.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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