Question

Please list and discuss 5 translational opportunities based on the research in designing football helmets to be safe and minimal brain impact injury.

Answer 1

• Earlier helmets could not protect athletes from impacts low on the sides , front and back of the helmet. But nowadays helmets have helmet rotation styles which helps head rotation and protects glancing blows incoming to the head. Also a smoother exterior was used along with slip layer between padding to reduce rotational accelerations.
• Energy absorbing paddings which can compress during impact between two helmets are used which can prolong duration of helmet contact . These paddings can be improved and designed better to reduce momentum in collision. These paddings can recover slowly after a collision.
• More layers of protection needs to be added in the helmets to reduce risk of brain damage.This will help absorb energy easier and better and reduce force that affects the skull.Polymers can be used as layers to reduce the impact as polymers can absorb energy. This also helps the brains movement during impact
• The facemask and the front regions need to be equipped with better materials as they are most vulnerable to get impacts frequently.
• Defensive and offensive linesman should be given the best gear at all times as they are the ones having more frequent impacts.