Radial and oblique impact testing of alpine helmets onto snow surfaces
- Authors: Patton, Declan , Mohammadi, Reza , Halldin, Peter , Kleiven, Svein , McIntosh, Andrew
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Sciences (Switzerland) Vol. 13, no. 6 (2023), p.
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- Description: Recent studies have found that alpine helmets reduce the risk of focal injuries associated with radial impacts, which is likely due to current alpine helmet standards requiring helmets to be drop-tested on flat anvils with only linear acceleration pass criteria. There is a need to evaluate the performance of alpine helmets in more realistic impacts. The current study developed a method to assess the performance of alpine helmets for radial and oblique impacts on snow surfaces in a laboratory setting. Snow samples were collected from a groomed area of a ski slope. Radial impacts were performed as drop tests onto a stationary snow sample. Oblique impacts were performed as drop tests onto a snow sample moving horizontally. For radial impacts, snow sample collection time was found to significantly (p = 0.005) influence mean peak linear headform acceleration with an increase in ambient temperature softening the snow samples. For oblique tests, the recreational alpine sports helmet with a rotation-damping system (RDS) significantly (p = 0.002) reduced mean peak angular acceleration compared to the same helmets with no RDS by approximately 44%. The ski racing helmet also significantly (p = 0.006) reduced mean peak angular acceleration compared to the recreational alpine sports helmet with no RDS by approximately 33%, which was attributed to the smooth outer shell of the ski racing helmet. The current study helps to bridge the knowledge gap between real helmet impacts on alpine snow slopes and laboratory helmet impacts on rigid surfaces. © 2023 by the authors.
A decade of head, neck and facial cricket injury hospitalisations in Victoria, Australia : from 2007/08 to 2016/17
- Authors: Kodikara, Dulan , Plumb, Mandy , Twomey, Dara
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 23, no. 12 (2020), p. 1161-1165
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- Description: Objectives: To present an epidemiological profile of hospital-treated head, neck and facial cricket injuries from 2007/08 to 2016/17 in Victoria, Australia. Design: Retrospective analysis of emergency department and hospital admission data. Methods: An analysis of Victorian hospital-treated head, neck and facial cricket injuries of all cricket participants over 5 years old between July 2007 and June 2017. Results: Over the decade, 3907 head, neck, facial (HNF) cricket injuries were treated in Victorian hospitals. The number of HNF cricket injuries substantially increased in the 2014/15 season from 367 to 435 injuries and remained over 400 in the subsequent years. More injuries were reported for male compared to female participants, 3583 compared to 324 injuries. When adjusted for participation in competitive cricket, the injury incidence rate was 1.3 per 1000 participants for males and 0.4 per 1000 participants for females. The 10−14 year age group most frequently required hospital treatment. Open wounds were the most common type of injury (1166, 29.8%) and the main mechanism for HNF cricket injury for this decade was hit/struck/crush (3361, 86.0%). Conclusions: This study provides a novel and current insight of the incidence and details of HNF injuries among cricket participants in Victoria over a decade. It is evident that males and younger participants, regardless of gender, have a higher risk of sustaining a HNF injury. This study provides a solid evidence base for stakeholders in developing strategies to minimise head, neck and facial injuries to make cricket a safe sport for all. © 2020 Sports Medicine Australia
Head impact velocities in FIS World Cup snowboarders and freestyle skiers : Do real-life impacts exceed helmet testing standards?
- Authors: Steenstrup, Sophie , Mok, Kam-Ming , McIntosh, Andrew , Bahr, Roald , Krosshaug, Tron
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 52, no. 1 (2018), p. 32-40
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- Description: Introduction Prior to the 2013-2014 season, the International Ski Federation (FIS) increased the helmet testing speed from a minimum requirement of 5.4 to 6.8 m/s for alpine downhill, super-G and giant slalom and for freestyle ski cross, but not for the other freestyle disciplines or snowboarding. Whether this increased testing speed reflects impact velocities in real head injury situations on snow is unclear. We therefore investigated the injury mechanisms and gross head impact biomechanics in four real head injury situations among World Cup (WC) snowboard and freestyle athletes and compared these with helmet homologation laboratory test requirements. The helmets in the four cases complied with at least European Standards (EN) 1077 (Class B) or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F2040. Methods We analysed four head injury videos from the FIS Injury Surveillance System throughout eight WC seasons (2006-2014) in detail. We used motion analysis software to digitize the helmet's trajectory and estimated the head's kinematics in two dimensions, including directly preimpact and postimpact. Results All four impacts were to the occiput. In the four cases, the normal-to-slope preimpact velocity ranged from 7.0(±SD 0.2) m/s to 10.5±0.5 m/s and the normalto-slope velocity change ranged from 8.4±0.6 m/s to 11.7±0.7 m/s. The sagittal plane helmet angular velocity estimates indicated a large change in angular velocity (25.0±2.9 rad/s to 49.1±0.3 rad/s). Conclusion The estimated normal-to-slope preimpact velocity was higher than the current strictest helmet testing rule of 6.8 m/s in all four cases. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved.
Head injury mechanisms in FIS World Cup alpine and freestyle skiers and snowboarders
- Authors: Steenstrup, Sophie , Bakken, Arnhild , Bere, Tone , Patton, Declan , Bahr, Roald
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 52, no. 1 (2018), p. 61-69
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- Description: Introduction Head injuries represent a concern in skiing and snowboarding, with traumatic brain injuries being the most common cause of death. Aim To describe the mechanisms of head and face injuries among World Cup alpine and freestyle skiers and snowboarders. Methods We performed a qualitative analysis of videos obtained of head and face injuries reported through the International Ski Federation Injury Surveillance System during 10 World Cup seasons (2006-2016). We analysed 57 head impact injury videos (alpine n=29, snowboard n=13, freestyle n=15), first independently and subsequently in a consensus meeting. Results During the crash sequence, most athletes (84%) impacted the snow with the skis or board first, followed by the upper or lower extremities, buttocks/pelvis, back and, finally, the head. Alpine skiers had sideways (45%) and backwards pitching falls (35%), with impacts to the rear (38%) and side (35%) of the helmet. Freestyle skiers and snowboarders had backwards pitching falls (snowboard 77%, freestyle 53%), mainly with impacts to the rear of the helmet (snowboard 69%, freestyle 40%). There were three helmet ejections among alpine skiers (10% of cases), and 41% of alpine skiing injuries occurred due to inappropriate gate contact prior to falling. Athletes had one (47%) or two (28%) head impacts, and the first impact was the most severe (71%). Head impacts were mainly on snow (83%) on a downward slope (63%). Conclusion This study has identified several characteristics of the mechanisms of head injuries, which may be addressed to reduce risk.
Considerations for the performance requirements and technical specifications of soft-shell padded headgear
- Authors: Patton, Declan , McIntosh, Andrew
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology Vol. 230, no. 1 (2016), p. 29-42
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- Description: Laboratory and epidemiological research in Australian football, rugby league and rugby union has demonstrated that commercially available soft-shell padded headgear is currently ineffective in reducing the risk of concussion. However, modified headgear studies have demonstrated that significant improvements in impact energy attenuation performance are possible with small design changes, such as increases in foam density and thickness. A literature review of the design, performance and use of headgear in Australian football, rugby league and rugby union was conducted. A total of 23 articles were identified using primary and secondary search strategies, which included epidemiological field studies, laboratory impact test studies and studies investigating the behaviours and attitudes of players. The results of the review were synthesised and used to identify injury reduction objectives and appropriate design criteria. The need for a headgear standard was identified and performance requirements were discussed, which drew upon human tolerance and sports-specific head impact exposure data. Usability and behavioural issues, which require consideration during the design process, were also assessed. © IMechE 2015.
Concussion in community Australian football - epidemiological monitoring of the causes and immediate impact on play
- Authors: Fortington, Lauren , Twomey, Dara , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Injury Epidemiology Vol. 2, no. 1 (2015), p. 1-6
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1058737
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- Description: BACKGROUND: Head injuries, particularly concussion, are a major cause of concern in many sports, particularly the football codes, driving a need to better understand injury mechanisms and potential methods of prevention. The aim of this study was to describe the mechanisms and follow up care of concussion injuries sustained in adult male community Australian football to identify target areas for prevention and management. METHODS: Secondary analysis of injury data collected in a cluster randomised controlled trial in community Australian football across two states of Australia in 2007 and 2008. There were 1564 players from 18 clubs. The main outcome measures were the number and rate of head/neck/face (HNF) injuries and concussion sustained in games. A specific description of the mechanisms of the concussion injuries is presented along with the immediate return-to-play status of concussion cases. RESULTS: 143 HNF injuries were sustained by 132 players. The game HNF injury incidence was 4.9 per 1000 game hours (n = 138; 95 % confidence interval 4.1; 5.7). Just under a quarter (n = 34) of all HNF injuries were recorded as concussion. All concussions occurred during games (none in training), with all but one related to body contact with other players. Overall, 68 % of the concussions were considered within game rules, while 32 % were either outside of the rules or unclear. Most (88 %) players left the field immediately following concussion but 47 % later returned to play in the same game. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention strategies for concussion need to be based on knowledge of the mechanisms of injury. Most concussions in community Australian football occurred through body contact with other players or during tackling. Management of players post-concussion was generally poor with over half of the cases continuing to play in the same game. Therefore, new primary prevention strategies that target body-contact/tackling skills and improved secondary prevention measures relating to compliance with return-to-play protocols would be valuable.
Head, face and neck injury in youth rugby: Incidence and risk factors
- Authors: McIntosh, Andrew , McCrory, Paul , Finch, Caroline , Wolfe, Rory
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 44, no. 3 (2010), p. 188-193
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
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- Description: OBJECTIVES: In this study, the incidence of head, neck and facial injuries in youth rugby was determined, and the associated risk factors were assessed. DESIGN: Data were extracted from a cluster randomised controlled trial of headgear with the football teams as the unit of randomisation. No effect was observed for headgear use on injury rates, and the data were pooled. SETTING: General school and club-based community competitive youth rugby in the 2002 and 2003 seasons. PARTICIPANTS: Young male rugby union football players participating in under-13, under 15, under 18 and under 21 years competitions. Eighty-two teams participated in year 1 and 87 in year 2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Injury rates for all body regions combined, head, neck and face calculated for game and missed game injuries. RESULTS: 554 head, face and neck injuries were recorded within a total of 28 902 h of rugby game exposure. Level of play and player position were related to injury risk. Younger players had the lowest rates of injury; forwards, especially the front row had the highest rate of neck injury; and inside backs had the highest rate of injuries causing the player to miss a game. Contact events, including the scrum and tackle, were the main events leading to injury. CONCLUSION: Injury prevention must focus on the tackle and scrum elements of a youth rugby game.
Does padded headgear prevent head injury in rugby union football?
- Authors: McIntosh, Andrew , McCrory, Paul , Finch, Caroline , Best, John , Chalmers, David , Wolfe, Rory
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise Vol. 41, no. 2 (2009), p. 306-313
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text: false
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- Description: BACKGROUND: Concussion is a serious problem in many contact sports, including rugby union football. The study's primary aim was to measure the efficacy of padded headgear in reducing the rates of head injury or concussion. METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled trial with three arms was conducted with rugby union football teams as the unit of randomization. Teams consisted of males participating in under 13-, 15-, 18-, and 20-yr age group competitions. The interventions were "standard" and "modified" padded headgear. Headgear wearing and injury were measured for each study team at each game over two seasons. RESULTS: Eighty-two teams participated in year 1 and 87 in year 2. A total of 1493 participants (10,040 player hours) were in the control group, 1128 participants (8170 player hours) were assigned to the standard headgear group, and 1474 participants (10,650 player hours) were assigned to the modified headgear group. The compliance rates were low in all groups, but 46% of participants wore standard headgear. An intention-to-treat analysis showed no differences in the rates of head injury or concussion between controls and headgear arms. Incidence rate ratios for standard headgear wearers referenced to controls were 0.95 and 1.02 for game and missed game injuries. Analyses of injury rates based on observed wearing patterns also showed no significant differences. Incidence rate ratios for standard headgear wearers referenced to nonwearers were 1.11 and 1.10 for game and missed game injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Padded headgear does not reduce the rate of head injury or concussion. The low compliance rates are a limitation. Although individuals may choose to wear padded headgear, the routine or mandatory use of protective headgear cannot be recommended. © 2009 by the American College of Sports Medicine.
- Description: 2003008190