Football Helmet Technology

October 27, 2009 by Debbie Dragon

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On September 23, the college football world held its breath as Florida Gator’s quarter back Tim Tebow went down helmetswith a concussion. Though he returned on October 10th, cleared to play against LSU, questions about his concussion and brain trauma in general resulting from football collisions continues to grow. A concussion is a brain injury that is caused by a sudden blow to the head. The blow shakes the brain inside the skull which temporarily prevents the brain from working normally. Approximately 4-6 percent of high school football players per year are sidelined with concussions. It is estimated though that the number might be higher since concussions at this level usually go under reported. 5-6 percent of college players and 8% of NFL players suffer from this injury each year. A study published in the September-October issue of American Journal of Sports found that the brain is more susceptible to injury when it has not had enough time to recover from the first injury. After the initial blow to the head, signs of a concussion include:

  • Confusion
  • Memory loss
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Fatigue

New innovation

Traditional helmets are not custom fit to the athlete’s head and are only adequate when it comes to protecting it. Cutting edge makers of football helmets have invented new technology to reduce the incidences of concussion among football athletes. Riddell introduced a helmet called The Revolution. Four years in the making, it was the first improvement in football helmets in 25 years. Current research from the February 2006 issue of Neurosurgery magazine found that players wearing the Revolution helmet were 31% less likely to suffer a concussion than those wearing a traditional helmet. For athletes who have never suffered a concussion, wearing the Revolution was reported to reduce the risk of head injury by 41%. This translates into about 18,000-46,000 fewer concussions per year. Riddell helmets are designed to cushion the head face and jaw of the athlete. A computer generated program design measures the head’s center of gravity to provide maximum protection for this vulnerable area. Xenith’s “XI” helmet adapts to both the players head size and force of each hit through technology called Adaptive Head Protection. The fit system allows athletes to tailor the helmet to the size and shape of their heads. It also allows the head to stay secure upon impact.

Protection, not prevention

Even with all the new innovations in helmet technology, concussions can only be reduced and not eliminated altogether as seen by Tim Tebow’s heart stopping concussion. The only thing athletes can do is try to protect themselves with the safest head protection on the market.


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