The Impact Of Helmets: A Case Study

No hiding it: Concussions and their long-term effects are in the spotlight. Although they’ve been
a concern for sport’s governing bodies since 1933, with the high profile NFL settlement and today’s sue-first culture… the topic can no longer be disregarded.

We’re learning more everyday about the effects of the injury on the brain, including Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), but there’s still much work to be done.  The complexity of the human brain is one of science’s final frontiers.  So we find ourselves engaged in great debate, as science slowly discovers new details, where parents and caregivers are demanding new strategies and safeguards.

In just five years all 50 states passed legislation regarding head injuries, making it one of the fastest adopted policies in US history. Not since the institution of seat belt laws has public safety been so uniformly agreed upon.  This legislation has set guidelines for administrators to create safer environments, but is often unfunded and leaves out implementation details.

In addition to state and federal policy, we continue to educate athletes about the latest, most effective practices for lowering concussion risk, targeting the millions of children playing contact sports each year.

Naturally, there are many questions and much uncertainty over what ultimately influences concussion rates.   Is it tackling technique?  Is neck strength a culprit?  Is age a factor?  Do helmet types make a difference?

On this last question we have some clarity.  Helmets do nothing to prevent concussions. Moreover, they can actually be the cause of head injuries!  An improperly fit helmet increases the risk for concussions.  Think about how ineffective and dangerous cleats would be if they weren’t laced.  It’s the same concept for helmet fitting.

In a case study performed at a single high school, an athletic trainer (using the InjureFree reporting platform) recorded injuries within the freshman, junior varsity and varsity football teams.  During the first three weeks of practice, eight (8) concussions were reported, within a population of 150 athletes, drawing the attention of team administrators.

Using collected data, it was identified that all eight concussions were sustained using parent-bought helmets, rather than school-issued. While the public school district supplied all necessary equipment, parents were given the choice to purchase their own helmets; similar to most schools throughout the US.  This discovery provided valuable information to district officials who feared possible lawsuits. 

The summer preceding this case, the death of NFL Hall of Famer Junior Seau, who suffered CTE as a result of repeated head trauma, and the media’s focus on his condition, caused parents to react by purchasing “top-rated” football helmets for their children.  While these proactive attempts to protect children are commendable, in this case the sporting goods store helmets were not properly fitted.  There are no policies requiring salespeople to be trained to properly fit helmets, so these eight students ended up playing with poorly sized equipment.

After identifying a potential catalyst for concussion “epidemic”, an email alert was triggered by InjureFree to the parents of football players notifying them to “see the athletic trainer if your son is not using a school issued helmet,” and fitting adjustments were made.  During the remaining 12 weeks of the football season only two concussions were reported, both during game play.

This case study is a terrific reminder for all athletes to check for proper fitting of equipment every time they suit up.  We don’t drive on flat tires and we don’t fly with icy airplane wings.  So why would be we allow athletes to play without ensuring all protective equipment is working properly?