Hebert, Thomas
Assessing the NFL Safety Precautions for Reducing Head and Spinal Injuries Journal Article
In: Kentucky Newsletter for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 19, 2015.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *HEAD injuries, *SPINAL cord -- Wounds & injuries, *SPORTS -- Safety measures, *SPORTS injuries, HITS System, NATIONAL Football League, Spearing, Spinal injuries, traumatic brain injury
@article{Hebert2015,
title = {Assessing the NFL Safety Precautions for Reducing Head and Spinal Injuries},
author = {Hebert, Thomas},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Kentucky Newsletter for Health, Physical Education, Recreation \& Dance},
volume = {52},
number = {2},
pages = {19},
abstract = {Through the years there has been an alarming increase in the number of football players in the NFL that have been reporting having short term and permeant sport-related mild and traumatic head and spinal injuries during and years after they were done playing football in the NFL which has grabbed the attention of the NFL. There are currently more than 3,000 retired players or their relatives pursuing a class-action lawsuit against the NFL, seeking compensation for lasting head trauma as result of participation in NFL games. The NFL in response to these lawsuits have begun to look into research about chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other brain injuries, the NFL has given over $30 million in unrestricted medical research funding to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health the use of which will be overseen by The National Institutes of Health. Many of the studies being done to help the prevention of sport-related mild and traumatic head and spinal injuries is looking at the players helmets and how the head impact exposure allowed by the players helmet contributed to the players brain injury as well as consecutive concussive impacts. One of the studies was conducted by making players wear Riddle helmets equipped with the HIT System. Another study looked at the traditional football helmet which has a rigid exterior and a soft interior. This study was done using a Riddle helmet equipped with the HITS System technology which was placed on a heavy duty head and torso mannequin and struck it with a weighted swinging pendulum helmet to mimic the forces sustained during a helmet-to-helmet strike. As a result of the study they found that all impact severity measures were significantly reduced with the application of the external foam. One of the ways that causes the most spinal injuries is the way football players tackle such as spearing. Over the last few years the NFL have integrated rules that prohibit spearing to help prevent spearing tackles because spinal injuries are a very serious injury and have immediate effects on the athlete. The NFL realizes this is a serious issue and wants to provide their athletes with the safest equipment possible so they have enforced many rule changes and equipment modifications to help reduce the number of avoidable injuries. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR},
keywords = {*HEAD injuries, *SPINAL cord -- Wounds \& injuries, *SPORTS -- Safety measures, *SPORTS injuries, HITS System, NATIONAL Football League, Spearing, Spinal injuries, traumatic brain injury},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Kettner, M; Ramsthaler, F; Potente, S; Bockenheimer, A; Schmidt, P H; Schrodt, M
Blunt force impact to the head using a teeball bat: systematic comparison of physical and finite element modeling Journal Article
In: Forensic Science, Medicine & Pathology, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 513–517, 2014.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Computer Simulation, *Forensic Pathology/mt [Methods], *HEAD injuries, *Models, *Skull Fractures/pa [Pathology], *Skull/pa [Pathology], *Sports Equipment, *Weapons, Anatomic, Biological, Biomechanical Phenomena, Closed/pa [Pathology], Equipment Design, finite element analysis, Humans, Skull/in [Injuries], violence, Wood, Young Adult
@article{Kettner2014,
title = {Blunt force impact to the head using a teeball bat: systematic comparison of physical and finite element modeling},
author = {Kettner, M and Ramsthaler, F and Potente, S and Bockenheimer, A and Schmidt, P H and Schrodt, M},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
journal = {Forensic Science, Medicine \& Pathology},
volume = {10},
number = {4},
pages = {513--517},
abstract = {Blunt head trauma secondary to violent actions with various weapons is frequently a cause of injury in forensic casework; differing striking tools have varying degrees of injury capacity. The systematic approach used to examine a 19-year-old student who was beaten with a wooden teeball bat will be described. The assailant stopped beating the student when the teeball bat broke into two pieces. The surviving victim sustained bruises and a forehead laceration. The State's Attorney assigned a forensic expert to examine whether the forces exerted on the victim's head (leading to the fracture of the bat) were potentially life threatening (e.g. causing cranial bone fractures). Physical modeling was conducted using a pigskin-covered polyethylene end cap cushioned by cellulose that was connected to a piezoelectric force gauge. Experiments with teeball bats weighing 295-485 g demonstrated that 12-20 kN forces were necessary to cause a comparable bat fracture. In addition to physical testing, a computer-aided simulation was conducted, utilizing a finite-element (FE) method. In the FE approach, after selecting for wood properties, a virtual bat was swung against a hemisphere comprising two layers that represented bone and soft tissue. Employing this model, a 17.6 kN force was calculated, with the highest fracture probability points resembling the fracture patterns of the physically tested bats.},
keywords = {*Computer Simulation, *Forensic Pathology/mt [Methods], *HEAD injuries, *Models, *Skull Fractures/pa [Pathology], *Skull/pa [Pathology], *Sports Equipment, *Weapons, Anatomic, Biological, Biomechanical Phenomena, Closed/pa [Pathology], Equipment Design, finite element analysis, Humans, Skull/in [Injuries], violence, Wood, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Beckwith, J G; Greenwald, R M; Chu, J J; Crisco, J J; Rowson, S; Duma, S M; Broglio, S P; McAllister, T W; Guskiewicz, K M; Mihalik, J P; Anderson, S; Schnebel, B; Brolinson, P G; Collins, M W
Timing of concussion diagnosis is related to head impact exposure prior to injury Journal Article
In: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 747–754, 2013.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], *Brain Concussion/et [Etiology], *Delayed Diagnosis, *Football/in [Injuries], *HEAD injuries, Adolescent, Closed/ep [Epidemiology], ENVIRONMENTAL exposure, Head Protective Devices, Humans, Male, Telemetry/is [Instrumentation], Time Factors, Young Adult
@article{Beckwith2013a,
title = {Timing of concussion diagnosis is related to head impact exposure prior to injury},
author = {Beckwith, J G and Greenwald, R M and Chu, J J and Crisco, J J and Rowson, S and Duma, S M and Broglio, S P and McAllister, T W and Guskiewicz, K M and Mihalik, J P and Anderson, S and Schnebel, B and Brolinson, P G and Collins, M W},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-01-01},
journal = {Medicine \& Science in Sports \& Exercise},
volume = {45},
number = {4},
pages = {747--754},
abstract = {PURPOSE: Concussions are commonly undiagnosed in an athletic environment because the postinjury signs and symptoms may be mild, masked by the subject, or unrecognized. This study compares measures of head impact frequency, location, and kinematic response before cases of immediate and delayed concussion diagnosis. METHODS: Football players from eight collegiate and six high school teams wore instrumented helmets during play (n = 1208), of which 95 were diagnosed with concussion (105 total cases). Acceleration data recorded by the instrumented helmets were reduced to five kinematic metrics: peak linear and rotational acceleration, Gadd severity index, head injury criterion, and change in head velocity (DELTAv). In addition, each impact was assigned to one of four general location regions (front, back, side, and top), and the number of impacts sustained before injury was calculated over two periods (1 and 7 days). RESULTS: All head kinematic measures associated with injury, except peak rotational acceleration (P = 0.284), were significantly higher for cases of immediate diagnosis than delayed diagnosis (P \< 0.05). Players with delayed diagnosis sustained a significantly higher number of head impacts on the day of injury (32.9 +/- 24.9, P \< 0.001) and within 7 d of injury (69.7 +/- 43.3},
keywords = {*Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], *Brain Concussion/et [Etiology], *Delayed Diagnosis, *Football/in [Injuries], *HEAD injuries, Adolescent, Closed/ep [Epidemiology], ENVIRONMENTAL exposure, Head Protective Devices, Humans, Male, Telemetry/is [Instrumentation], Time Factors, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Dubourg, J; Messerer, M
Sports-related chronic repetitive head trauma as a cause of pituitary dysfunction Journal Article
In: Neurosurgical Focus, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. E2, 2011.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Athletic Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *Brain Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *HEAD injuries, *Pituitary Diseases/et [Etiology], *Pituitary Gland/pp [Physiopathology], Athletic Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Concussion/pp [Physiopathology], Brain Injuries/et [Etiology], chronic disease, Closed/co [Complications], Closed/pp [Physiopathology], Early Diagnosis, Head Injuries, Humans, Pituitary Diseases/pp [Physiopathology], Pituitary Gland/in [Injuries]
@article{Dubourg2011,
title = {Sports-related chronic repetitive head trauma as a cause of pituitary dysfunction},
author = {Dubourg, J and Messerer, M},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Neurosurgical Focus},
volume = {31},
number = {5},
pages = {E2},
abstract = {Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is recognized as a cause of hypopituitarism even after mild TBI. Although over the past decade, a growing body of research has detailed neuroendocrine changes induced by TBI, the mechanisms and risk factors responsible for this pituitary dysfunction are still unclear. Around the world, sports-especially combative sports-are very popular. However, sports are not generally considered as a cause of TBI in most epidemiological studies, and the link between sports-related head trauma and hypopituitarism has not been investigated until recently. Thus, there is a paucity of data regarding this important concern. Because of the large number of young sports participants with near-normal life expectancy, the implications of undiagnosed or untreated postconcussion pituitary dysfunction can be dramatic. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors of hypopituitarism caused by sports injuries is thus an important issue that concerns both medical staff and sponsors of sports. The aim of this paper was to summarize the best evidence for understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms and to discuss the current data and recommendations on sports-related head trauma as a cause of hypopituitarism.},
keywords = {*Athletic Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *Brain Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *HEAD injuries, *Pituitary Diseases/et [Etiology], *Pituitary Gland/pp [Physiopathology], Athletic Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Concussion/pp [Physiopathology], Brain Injuries/et [Etiology], chronic disease, Closed/co [Complications], Closed/pp [Physiopathology], Early Diagnosis, Head Injuries, Humans, Pituitary Diseases/pp [Physiopathology], Pituitary Gland/in [Injuries]},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Depreitere, B; Van Lierde, C; Vander Sloten, J; Van der Perre, G; Van Audekercke, R; Plets, C; Goffin, J
Lateral head impacts and protection of the temporal area by bicycle safety helmets Journal Article
In: Journal of Trauma-Injury Infection & Critical Care, vol. 62, no. 6, pp. 1440–1445, 2007.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Bicycling, *HEAD injuries, *Head Protective Devices, *Skull Fractures, *Temporal Bone/in [Injuries], Athletic Injuries/pc [Prevention & Control], Biomechanical Phenomena, Cadaver, Closed/pc [Prevention & Control], Humans
@article{Depreitere2007,
title = {Lateral head impacts and protection of the temporal area by bicycle safety helmets},
author = {Depreitere, B and {Van Lierde}, C and {Vander Sloten}, J and {Van der Perre}, G and {Van Audekercke}, R and Plets, C and Goffin, J},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Trauma-Injury Infection \& Critical Care},
volume = {62},
number = {6},
pages = {1440--1445},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The protective effectiveness of bicycle helmets has been demonstrated in several epidemiologic studies. However, the temple region is only minimally covered by most helmet models. Impact tests were performed on human cadavers to investigate whether current bicycle helmets are capable of preventing direct contact on the temporal area in side impacts. METHODS: Lateral head impacts, corresponding to a force load of 15,000 N on an nonhelmeted head, were applied on 11 helmeted cadavers by a steel pendulum with a flat impact surface, and the contact between the impactor plate and the temporal and zygomatic area was investigated by means of paint transfer. In eight tests, a common design bicycle helmet was used, whereas in three tests the helmets provided larger temporal coverage (temporal helmet edge \<10 mm above Frankfort plane). The skulls were inspected for fractures. RESULTS: In seven of the eight tests with common design bicycle helmets, contact had occurred and in one of these a skull fracture was seen. The helmets with a larger temporal coverage consistently prevented such contact loading. CONCLUSIONS: The common designs of commercially available bicycle helmets do not prevent direct contact loading on the temporal and zygomatic arch region and this contact loading is potentially harmful. The present preliminary study strongly questions the effectiveness of these helmets in providing accurate protection of the temporal and zygomatic area.},
keywords = {*Bicycling, *HEAD injuries, *Head Protective Devices, *Skull Fractures, *Temporal Bone/in [Injuries], Athletic Injuries/pc [Prevention \& Control], Biomechanical Phenomena, Cadaver, Closed/pc [Prevention \& Control], Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Hebert, Thomas
Assessing the NFL Safety Precautions for Reducing Head and Spinal Injuries Journal Article
In: Kentucky Newsletter for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 19, 2015.
@article{Hebert2015,
title = {Assessing the NFL Safety Precautions for Reducing Head and Spinal Injuries},
author = {Hebert, Thomas},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Kentucky Newsletter for Health, Physical Education, Recreation \& Dance},
volume = {52},
number = {2},
pages = {19},
abstract = {Through the years there has been an alarming increase in the number of football players in the NFL that have been reporting having short term and permeant sport-related mild and traumatic head and spinal injuries during and years after they were done playing football in the NFL which has grabbed the attention of the NFL. There are currently more than 3,000 retired players or their relatives pursuing a class-action lawsuit against the NFL, seeking compensation for lasting head trauma as result of participation in NFL games. The NFL in response to these lawsuits have begun to look into research about chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other brain injuries, the NFL has given over $30 million in unrestricted medical research funding to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health the use of which will be overseen by The National Institutes of Health. Many of the studies being done to help the prevention of sport-related mild and traumatic head and spinal injuries is looking at the players helmets and how the head impact exposure allowed by the players helmet contributed to the players brain injury as well as consecutive concussive impacts. One of the studies was conducted by making players wear Riddle helmets equipped with the HIT System. Another study looked at the traditional football helmet which has a rigid exterior and a soft interior. This study was done using a Riddle helmet equipped with the HITS System technology which was placed on a heavy duty head and torso mannequin and struck it with a weighted swinging pendulum helmet to mimic the forces sustained during a helmet-to-helmet strike. As a result of the study they found that all impact severity measures were significantly reduced with the application of the external foam. One of the ways that causes the most spinal injuries is the way football players tackle such as spearing. Over the last few years the NFL have integrated rules that prohibit spearing to help prevent spearing tackles because spinal injuries are a very serious injury and have immediate effects on the athlete. The NFL realizes this is a serious issue and wants to provide their athletes with the safest equipment possible so they have enforced many rule changes and equipment modifications to help reduce the number of avoidable injuries. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Kettner, M; Ramsthaler, F; Potente, S; Bockenheimer, A; Schmidt, P H; Schrodt, M
Blunt force impact to the head using a teeball bat: systematic comparison of physical and finite element modeling Journal Article
In: Forensic Science, Medicine & Pathology, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 513–517, 2014.
@article{Kettner2014,
title = {Blunt force impact to the head using a teeball bat: systematic comparison of physical and finite element modeling},
author = {Kettner, M and Ramsthaler, F and Potente, S and Bockenheimer, A and Schmidt, P H and Schrodt, M},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
journal = {Forensic Science, Medicine \& Pathology},
volume = {10},
number = {4},
pages = {513--517},
abstract = {Blunt head trauma secondary to violent actions with various weapons is frequently a cause of injury in forensic casework; differing striking tools have varying degrees of injury capacity. The systematic approach used to examine a 19-year-old student who was beaten with a wooden teeball bat will be described. The assailant stopped beating the student when the teeball bat broke into two pieces. The surviving victim sustained bruises and a forehead laceration. The State's Attorney assigned a forensic expert to examine whether the forces exerted on the victim's head (leading to the fracture of the bat) were potentially life threatening (e.g. causing cranial bone fractures). Physical modeling was conducted using a pigskin-covered polyethylene end cap cushioned by cellulose that was connected to a piezoelectric force gauge. Experiments with teeball bats weighing 295-485 g demonstrated that 12-20 kN forces were necessary to cause a comparable bat fracture. In addition to physical testing, a computer-aided simulation was conducted, utilizing a finite-element (FE) method. In the FE approach, after selecting for wood properties, a virtual bat was swung against a hemisphere comprising two layers that represented bone and soft tissue. Employing this model, a 17.6 kN force was calculated, with the highest fracture probability points resembling the fracture patterns of the physically tested bats.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Beckwith, J G; Greenwald, R M; Chu, J J; Crisco, J J; Rowson, S; Duma, S M; Broglio, S P; McAllister, T W; Guskiewicz, K M; Mihalik, J P; Anderson, S; Schnebel, B; Brolinson, P G; Collins, M W
Timing of concussion diagnosis is related to head impact exposure prior to injury Journal Article
In: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 747–754, 2013.
@article{Beckwith2013a,
title = {Timing of concussion diagnosis is related to head impact exposure prior to injury},
author = {Beckwith, J G and Greenwald, R M and Chu, J J and Crisco, J J and Rowson, S and Duma, S M and Broglio, S P and McAllister, T W and Guskiewicz, K M and Mihalik, J P and Anderson, S and Schnebel, B and Brolinson, P G and Collins, M W},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-01-01},
journal = {Medicine \& Science in Sports \& Exercise},
volume = {45},
number = {4},
pages = {747--754},
abstract = {PURPOSE: Concussions are commonly undiagnosed in an athletic environment because the postinjury signs and symptoms may be mild, masked by the subject, or unrecognized. This study compares measures of head impact frequency, location, and kinematic response before cases of immediate and delayed concussion diagnosis. METHODS: Football players from eight collegiate and six high school teams wore instrumented helmets during play (n = 1208), of which 95 were diagnosed with concussion (105 total cases). Acceleration data recorded by the instrumented helmets were reduced to five kinematic metrics: peak linear and rotational acceleration, Gadd severity index, head injury criterion, and change in head velocity (DELTAv). In addition, each impact was assigned to one of four general location regions (front, back, side, and top), and the number of impacts sustained before injury was calculated over two periods (1 and 7 days). RESULTS: All head kinematic measures associated with injury, except peak rotational acceleration (P = 0.284), were significantly higher for cases of immediate diagnosis than delayed diagnosis (P \< 0.05). Players with delayed diagnosis sustained a significantly higher number of head impacts on the day of injury (32.9 +/- 24.9, P \< 0.001) and within 7 d of injury (69.7 +/- 43.3},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Dubourg, J; Messerer, M
Sports-related chronic repetitive head trauma as a cause of pituitary dysfunction Journal Article
In: Neurosurgical Focus, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. E2, 2011.
@article{Dubourg2011,
title = {Sports-related chronic repetitive head trauma as a cause of pituitary dysfunction},
author = {Dubourg, J and Messerer, M},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Neurosurgical Focus},
volume = {31},
number = {5},
pages = {E2},
abstract = {Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is recognized as a cause of hypopituitarism even after mild TBI. Although over the past decade, a growing body of research has detailed neuroendocrine changes induced by TBI, the mechanisms and risk factors responsible for this pituitary dysfunction are still unclear. Around the world, sports-especially combative sports-are very popular. However, sports are not generally considered as a cause of TBI in most epidemiological studies, and the link between sports-related head trauma and hypopituitarism has not been investigated until recently. Thus, there is a paucity of data regarding this important concern. Because of the large number of young sports participants with near-normal life expectancy, the implications of undiagnosed or untreated postconcussion pituitary dysfunction can be dramatic. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors of hypopituitarism caused by sports injuries is thus an important issue that concerns both medical staff and sponsors of sports. The aim of this paper was to summarize the best evidence for understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms and to discuss the current data and recommendations on sports-related head trauma as a cause of hypopituitarism.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Depreitere, B; Van Lierde, C; Vander Sloten, J; Van der Perre, G; Van Audekercke, R; Plets, C; Goffin, J
Lateral head impacts and protection of the temporal area by bicycle safety helmets Journal Article
In: Journal of Trauma-Injury Infection & Critical Care, vol. 62, no. 6, pp. 1440–1445, 2007.
@article{Depreitere2007,
title = {Lateral head impacts and protection of the temporal area by bicycle safety helmets},
author = {Depreitere, B and {Van Lierde}, C and {Vander Sloten}, J and {Van der Perre}, G and {Van Audekercke}, R and Plets, C and Goffin, J},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Trauma-Injury Infection \& Critical Care},
volume = {62},
number = {6},
pages = {1440--1445},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The protective effectiveness of bicycle helmets has been demonstrated in several epidemiologic studies. However, the temple region is only minimally covered by most helmet models. Impact tests were performed on human cadavers to investigate whether current bicycle helmets are capable of preventing direct contact on the temporal area in side impacts. METHODS: Lateral head impacts, corresponding to a force load of 15,000 N on an nonhelmeted head, were applied on 11 helmeted cadavers by a steel pendulum with a flat impact surface, and the contact between the impactor plate and the temporal and zygomatic area was investigated by means of paint transfer. In eight tests, a common design bicycle helmet was used, whereas in three tests the helmets provided larger temporal coverage (temporal helmet edge \<10 mm above Frankfort plane). The skulls were inspected for fractures. RESULTS: In seven of the eight tests with common design bicycle helmets, contact had occurred and in one of these a skull fracture was seen. The helmets with a larger temporal coverage consistently prevented such contact loading. CONCLUSIONS: The common designs of commercially available bicycle helmets do not prevent direct contact loading on the temporal and zygomatic arch region and this contact loading is potentially harmful. The present preliminary study strongly questions the effectiveness of these helmets in providing accurate protection of the temporal and zygomatic area.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Hebert, Thomas
Assessing the NFL Safety Precautions for Reducing Head and Spinal Injuries Journal Article
In: Kentucky Newsletter for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 19, 2015.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *HEAD injuries, *SPINAL cord -- Wounds & injuries, *SPORTS -- Safety measures, *SPORTS injuries, HITS System, NATIONAL Football League, Spearing, Spinal injuries, traumatic brain injury
@article{Hebert2015,
title = {Assessing the NFL Safety Precautions for Reducing Head and Spinal Injuries},
author = {Hebert, Thomas},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Kentucky Newsletter for Health, Physical Education, Recreation \& Dance},
volume = {52},
number = {2},
pages = {19},
abstract = {Through the years there has been an alarming increase in the number of football players in the NFL that have been reporting having short term and permeant sport-related mild and traumatic head and spinal injuries during and years after they were done playing football in the NFL which has grabbed the attention of the NFL. There are currently more than 3,000 retired players or their relatives pursuing a class-action lawsuit against the NFL, seeking compensation for lasting head trauma as result of participation in NFL games. The NFL in response to these lawsuits have begun to look into research about chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other brain injuries, the NFL has given over $30 million in unrestricted medical research funding to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health the use of which will be overseen by The National Institutes of Health. Many of the studies being done to help the prevention of sport-related mild and traumatic head and spinal injuries is looking at the players helmets and how the head impact exposure allowed by the players helmet contributed to the players brain injury as well as consecutive concussive impacts. One of the studies was conducted by making players wear Riddle helmets equipped with the HIT System. Another study looked at the traditional football helmet which has a rigid exterior and a soft interior. This study was done using a Riddle helmet equipped with the HITS System technology which was placed on a heavy duty head and torso mannequin and struck it with a weighted swinging pendulum helmet to mimic the forces sustained during a helmet-to-helmet strike. As a result of the study they found that all impact severity measures were significantly reduced with the application of the external foam. One of the ways that causes the most spinal injuries is the way football players tackle such as spearing. Over the last few years the NFL have integrated rules that prohibit spearing to help prevent spearing tackles because spinal injuries are a very serious injury and have immediate effects on the athlete. The NFL realizes this is a serious issue and wants to provide their athletes with the safest equipment possible so they have enforced many rule changes and equipment modifications to help reduce the number of avoidable injuries. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR},
keywords = {*HEAD injuries, *SPINAL cord -- Wounds \& injuries, *SPORTS -- Safety measures, *SPORTS injuries, HITS System, NATIONAL Football League, Spearing, Spinal injuries, traumatic brain injury},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Kettner, M; Ramsthaler, F; Potente, S; Bockenheimer, A; Schmidt, P H; Schrodt, M
Blunt force impact to the head using a teeball bat: systematic comparison of physical and finite element modeling Journal Article
In: Forensic Science, Medicine & Pathology, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 513–517, 2014.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Computer Simulation, *Forensic Pathology/mt [Methods], *HEAD injuries, *Models, *Skull Fractures/pa [Pathology], *Skull/pa [Pathology], *Sports Equipment, *Weapons, Anatomic, Biological, Biomechanical Phenomena, Closed/pa [Pathology], Equipment Design, finite element analysis, Humans, Skull/in [Injuries], violence, Wood, Young Adult
@article{Kettner2014,
title = {Blunt force impact to the head using a teeball bat: systematic comparison of physical and finite element modeling},
author = {Kettner, M and Ramsthaler, F and Potente, S and Bockenheimer, A and Schmidt, P H and Schrodt, M},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
journal = {Forensic Science, Medicine \& Pathology},
volume = {10},
number = {4},
pages = {513--517},
abstract = {Blunt head trauma secondary to violent actions with various weapons is frequently a cause of injury in forensic casework; differing striking tools have varying degrees of injury capacity. The systematic approach used to examine a 19-year-old student who was beaten with a wooden teeball bat will be described. The assailant stopped beating the student when the teeball bat broke into two pieces. The surviving victim sustained bruises and a forehead laceration. The State's Attorney assigned a forensic expert to examine whether the forces exerted on the victim's head (leading to the fracture of the bat) were potentially life threatening (e.g. causing cranial bone fractures). Physical modeling was conducted using a pigskin-covered polyethylene end cap cushioned by cellulose that was connected to a piezoelectric force gauge. Experiments with teeball bats weighing 295-485 g demonstrated that 12-20 kN forces were necessary to cause a comparable bat fracture. In addition to physical testing, a computer-aided simulation was conducted, utilizing a finite-element (FE) method. In the FE approach, after selecting for wood properties, a virtual bat was swung against a hemisphere comprising two layers that represented bone and soft tissue. Employing this model, a 17.6 kN force was calculated, with the highest fracture probability points resembling the fracture patterns of the physically tested bats.},
keywords = {*Computer Simulation, *Forensic Pathology/mt [Methods], *HEAD injuries, *Models, *Skull Fractures/pa [Pathology], *Skull/pa [Pathology], *Sports Equipment, *Weapons, Anatomic, Biological, Biomechanical Phenomena, Closed/pa [Pathology], Equipment Design, finite element analysis, Humans, Skull/in [Injuries], violence, Wood, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Beckwith, J G; Greenwald, R M; Chu, J J; Crisco, J J; Rowson, S; Duma, S M; Broglio, S P; McAllister, T W; Guskiewicz, K M; Mihalik, J P; Anderson, S; Schnebel, B; Brolinson, P G; Collins, M W
Timing of concussion diagnosis is related to head impact exposure prior to injury Journal Article
In: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 747–754, 2013.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], *Brain Concussion/et [Etiology], *Delayed Diagnosis, *Football/in [Injuries], *HEAD injuries, Adolescent, Closed/ep [Epidemiology], ENVIRONMENTAL exposure, Head Protective Devices, Humans, Male, Telemetry/is [Instrumentation], Time Factors, Young Adult
@article{Beckwith2013a,
title = {Timing of concussion diagnosis is related to head impact exposure prior to injury},
author = {Beckwith, J G and Greenwald, R M and Chu, J J and Crisco, J J and Rowson, S and Duma, S M and Broglio, S P and McAllister, T W and Guskiewicz, K M and Mihalik, J P and Anderson, S and Schnebel, B and Brolinson, P G and Collins, M W},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-01-01},
journal = {Medicine \& Science in Sports \& Exercise},
volume = {45},
number = {4},
pages = {747--754},
abstract = {PURPOSE: Concussions are commonly undiagnosed in an athletic environment because the postinjury signs and symptoms may be mild, masked by the subject, or unrecognized. This study compares measures of head impact frequency, location, and kinematic response before cases of immediate and delayed concussion diagnosis. METHODS: Football players from eight collegiate and six high school teams wore instrumented helmets during play (n = 1208), of which 95 were diagnosed with concussion (105 total cases). Acceleration data recorded by the instrumented helmets were reduced to five kinematic metrics: peak linear and rotational acceleration, Gadd severity index, head injury criterion, and change in head velocity (DELTAv). In addition, each impact was assigned to one of four general location regions (front, back, side, and top), and the number of impacts sustained before injury was calculated over two periods (1 and 7 days). RESULTS: All head kinematic measures associated with injury, except peak rotational acceleration (P = 0.284), were significantly higher for cases of immediate diagnosis than delayed diagnosis (P \< 0.05). Players with delayed diagnosis sustained a significantly higher number of head impacts on the day of injury (32.9 +/- 24.9, P \< 0.001) and within 7 d of injury (69.7 +/- 43.3},
keywords = {*Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], *Brain Concussion/et [Etiology], *Delayed Diagnosis, *Football/in [Injuries], *HEAD injuries, Adolescent, Closed/ep [Epidemiology], ENVIRONMENTAL exposure, Head Protective Devices, Humans, Male, Telemetry/is [Instrumentation], Time Factors, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Dubourg, J; Messerer, M
Sports-related chronic repetitive head trauma as a cause of pituitary dysfunction Journal Article
In: Neurosurgical Focus, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. E2, 2011.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Athletic Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *Brain Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *HEAD injuries, *Pituitary Diseases/et [Etiology], *Pituitary Gland/pp [Physiopathology], Athletic Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Concussion/pp [Physiopathology], Brain Injuries/et [Etiology], chronic disease, Closed/co [Complications], Closed/pp [Physiopathology], Early Diagnosis, Head Injuries, Humans, Pituitary Diseases/pp [Physiopathology], Pituitary Gland/in [Injuries]
@article{Dubourg2011,
title = {Sports-related chronic repetitive head trauma as a cause of pituitary dysfunction},
author = {Dubourg, J and Messerer, M},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Neurosurgical Focus},
volume = {31},
number = {5},
pages = {E2},
abstract = {Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is recognized as a cause of hypopituitarism even after mild TBI. Although over the past decade, a growing body of research has detailed neuroendocrine changes induced by TBI, the mechanisms and risk factors responsible for this pituitary dysfunction are still unclear. Around the world, sports-especially combative sports-are very popular. However, sports are not generally considered as a cause of TBI in most epidemiological studies, and the link between sports-related head trauma and hypopituitarism has not been investigated until recently. Thus, there is a paucity of data regarding this important concern. Because of the large number of young sports participants with near-normal life expectancy, the implications of undiagnosed or untreated postconcussion pituitary dysfunction can be dramatic. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors of hypopituitarism caused by sports injuries is thus an important issue that concerns both medical staff and sponsors of sports. The aim of this paper was to summarize the best evidence for understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms and to discuss the current data and recommendations on sports-related head trauma as a cause of hypopituitarism.},
keywords = {*Athletic Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *Brain Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *HEAD injuries, *Pituitary Diseases/et [Etiology], *Pituitary Gland/pp [Physiopathology], Athletic Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Concussion/pp [Physiopathology], Brain Injuries/et [Etiology], chronic disease, Closed/co [Complications], Closed/pp [Physiopathology], Early Diagnosis, Head Injuries, Humans, Pituitary Diseases/pp [Physiopathology], Pituitary Gland/in [Injuries]},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Depreitere, B; Van Lierde, C; Vander Sloten, J; Van der Perre, G; Van Audekercke, R; Plets, C; Goffin, J
Lateral head impacts and protection of the temporal area by bicycle safety helmets Journal Article
In: Journal of Trauma-Injury Infection & Critical Care, vol. 62, no. 6, pp. 1440–1445, 2007.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Bicycling, *HEAD injuries, *Head Protective Devices, *Skull Fractures, *Temporal Bone/in [Injuries], Athletic Injuries/pc [Prevention & Control], Biomechanical Phenomena, Cadaver, Closed/pc [Prevention & Control], Humans
@article{Depreitere2007,
title = {Lateral head impacts and protection of the temporal area by bicycle safety helmets},
author = {Depreitere, B and {Van Lierde}, C and {Vander Sloten}, J and {Van der Perre}, G and {Van Audekercke}, R and Plets, C and Goffin, J},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Trauma-Injury Infection \& Critical Care},
volume = {62},
number = {6},
pages = {1440--1445},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The protective effectiveness of bicycle helmets has been demonstrated in several epidemiologic studies. However, the temple region is only minimally covered by most helmet models. Impact tests were performed on human cadavers to investigate whether current bicycle helmets are capable of preventing direct contact on the temporal area in side impacts. METHODS: Lateral head impacts, corresponding to a force load of 15,000 N on an nonhelmeted head, were applied on 11 helmeted cadavers by a steel pendulum with a flat impact surface, and the contact between the impactor plate and the temporal and zygomatic area was investigated by means of paint transfer. In eight tests, a common design bicycle helmet was used, whereas in three tests the helmets provided larger temporal coverage (temporal helmet edge \<10 mm above Frankfort plane). The skulls were inspected for fractures. RESULTS: In seven of the eight tests with common design bicycle helmets, contact had occurred and in one of these a skull fracture was seen. The helmets with a larger temporal coverage consistently prevented such contact loading. CONCLUSIONS: The common designs of commercially available bicycle helmets do not prevent direct contact loading on the temporal and zygomatic arch region and this contact loading is potentially harmful. The present preliminary study strongly questions the effectiveness of these helmets in providing accurate protection of the temporal and zygomatic area.},
keywords = {*Bicycling, *HEAD injuries, *Head Protective Devices, *Skull Fractures, *Temporal Bone/in [Injuries], Athletic Injuries/pc [Prevention \& Control], Biomechanical Phenomena, Cadaver, Closed/pc [Prevention \& Control], Humans},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}