Football helmets ' may do little to protect against concussion '

For football players, helmets are a crucial piece
of equipment thought to reduce the severity of
head injuries. But new research suggests that
football helmets may do little to protect players
from concussion.
This is according to a study due to be presented
at the American Academy of Neurology's 66th
Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, in April.
To reach their findings, the research team,
including study co-author Dr. Frank Condi of the
Florida Center for Headache and Sports Neurology
and the Florida State University College of
Medicine, conducted an experiment that was a
modification of the standard drop test system,
which is approved by the National Operating
Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment.
This test analyzed the strength and safety of 10
popular football helmet designs when exposed to
impacts.
Sensors were placed in the head of a crash test
dummy to measure the linear and rotational
responses to repeated 12 mile-per-hour impacts,
both with and without football helmets.
Most popular helmets offered the least protection
Results of the study revealed that on average,
football helmets only reduced the risk of
traumatic brain injury by 20%, compared with not
wearing a helmet.
The 10 helmets tested were:
Adams a2000
Rawlings Quantum
Riddell 360
Riddell Revolution
Riddell Revolution Speed
Riddell VSR4
Schutt Air Advantage
Schutt DNA Pro+
Xenith X1, and
Xenith X2.
The Adams a2000 had the best protection against
concussion, while the Schutt Air Advantage
provided the worst protection.
However, the Adams a2000 came out worst on
protection against closed head injury, while the
Ridell 360 provided the best protection in this
area.
Dr. Condi says a major concern is that the
helmets offering the least protection against head
injuries are the ones that are the most popular on
the playing field.