Enhancing the Biomechanical Design of the Football Helmet (Concussion Prevention) Pt.III
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Consumer Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Oral Presentation Award
1st Place
Abstract
Concussion research has become a very relevant topic across various media outlets. In the NFL there was an increase of 58% on the amount of concussions during the regular season in 2016. Concussions are very serious injuries to the brain and there needs to be as much data as possible to continue preventing their occurrence. The purpose of this continued research study was to seek a solution that would help with the prevention of concussions in the sport of football. The hypothesis stated, “If there is an attachment added to cover the brain-stem area of the football helmet, there will be a decrease in the kinetic energy measured; with the application of the attachment on the lower rated helmet, there will still be a decrease in the measurement of kinetic energy”. Experimentation was conducted at the Virginia Tech University Impact Biomechanics Laboratory. The manufactured version of the advanced prototype was tested upon a four and five star rated helmet for back, side and front impact locations. The results of the experimentation supported the hypothesis. For the Peak Linear Acceleration test, the four star rated helmet had a decrease in impact measured for all locations (front,back, side) with the addition of the protype. The five star helmet showed a decrease in the back location with the prototype. For the Peak Angular Acceleration test, the four star rated helmet had a decrease in impact for the locations back and side with the addition of the prototype. The five star rated helmet showed a decrease in the amount of impact measured for all locations with the prototype. For Peak Angular Acceleration test there was a decrease in the amount of force measured for the locations back and side with the addition of the prototype. The five star helmet the back showed a decrease in the amount of force measured with the addition of the prototype. In conclusion, the data partially supports that the application of the advanced attachment onto a lower rated helmet has the abilities to decrease the amount of impact as well as in a higher rated helmet.
Recommended Citation
Carter, Casey, "Enhancing the Biomechanical Design of the Football Helmet (Concussion Prevention) Pt.III" (2018). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 149.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2018/all/149
Location
Neville 222
Start Date
4-14-2018 9:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Enhancing the Biomechanical Design of the Football Helmet (Concussion Prevention) Pt.III
Neville 222
Concussion research has become a very relevant topic across various media outlets. In the NFL there was an increase of 58% on the amount of concussions during the regular season in 2016. Concussions are very serious injuries to the brain and there needs to be as much data as possible to continue preventing their occurrence. The purpose of this continued research study was to seek a solution that would help with the prevention of concussions in the sport of football. The hypothesis stated, “If there is an attachment added to cover the brain-stem area of the football helmet, there will be a decrease in the kinetic energy measured; with the application of the attachment on the lower rated helmet, there will still be a decrease in the measurement of kinetic energy”. Experimentation was conducted at the Virginia Tech University Impact Biomechanics Laboratory. The manufactured version of the advanced prototype was tested upon a four and five star rated helmet for back, side and front impact locations. The results of the experimentation supported the hypothesis. For the Peak Linear Acceleration test, the four star rated helmet had a decrease in impact measured for all locations (front,back, side) with the addition of the protype. The five star helmet showed a decrease in the back location with the prototype. For the Peak Angular Acceleration test, the four star rated helmet had a decrease in impact for the locations back and side with the addition of the prototype. The five star rated helmet showed a decrease in the amount of impact measured for all locations with the prototype. For Peak Angular Acceleration test there was a decrease in the amount of force measured for the locations back and side with the addition of the prototype. The five star helmet the back showed a decrease in the amount of force measured with the addition of the prototype. In conclusion, the data partially supports that the application of the advanced attachment onto a lower rated helmet has the abilities to decrease the amount of impact as well as in a higher rated helmet.
