September 23, 2024
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) — Awareness surrounding head injuries resulting from contact sports has grown in recent years as more data has emerged highlighting the dangers of these impacts, particularly in football.
Virginia Tech is working to make the sport safer with its helmet lab program.
Established 15 years ago, the helmet lab now focuses on limiting head injuries that could occur in several sports and activities such as football, hockey, biking, snowboarding, and construction work.
“We figure out the forces that cause injury to the human body,” said helmet lab director Dr. Steve Rowson. “If we understand that, we can prevent injuries from occurring.”
The lab determines which helmets can best handle those forces and what practices can limit the number of impacts on the head and neck area in the first place.
“We work in designing a safe game,” said Rowson. “That takes a multi-pronged approach. The helmet is actually the last line of defense. The first thing you want to do is eliminate as many high-risk head impacts as you can.”
“We figure out the forces that cause injury to the human body,” said helmet lab director Dr. Steve Rowson. “If we understand that, we can prevent injuries from occurring.”
The lab determines which helmets can best handle those forces and what practices can limit the number of impacts on the head and neck area in the first place.
“We work in designing a safe game,” said Rowson. “That takes a multi-pronged approach. The helmet is actually the last line of defense. The first thing you want to do is eliminate as many high-risk head impacts as you can.”
“They have smaller, weaker necks, but the helmet is almost just as heavy,” said Rowson. “When they hit the ground, they continue to fall forward and their head hits the ground.”
The lab also evaluates the effectiveness of add-ons, like the Guardian Cap, worn by players in the NFL and at Virginia Tech and other schools.
Rowson asserted that finding the right helmet for the individual is still more important than add-ons when it comes to safety.
After performing a series of tests to determine the effectiveness of a helmet, they assign it a rating on a five-star scale, which is then published for the public to see. “We posted helmet ratings online and that changed the way helmets were viewed, purchased, and made,” said Rowson.