Revolution helmets

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Revolution helmets are a line of football helmets produced by Riddell Sports Group. The helmet brand is the most popular model in use in the National Football League, used by 83% of the players in the league as of 2008. [1] The most recent model in the Revolution line is the Speedflex helmet. This model can come equipped with Riddell's HITS Technology, which consists of a sensor in the helmet that relays data regarding the severity of each hit to a computer system. [2] The Speedflex also features a built-in hinged panel located on the front near the top. In head-on collisions, this panel gives by up to a quarter of an inch (6 mm), helping to absorb the impact.

Contents

The Revolution helmet was conceived in an attempt to reduce the risk of head injuries such as concussions. What research has been done on the helmet's efficacy so far has been inconclusive.

Revolution Speed Helmet

The Speed Helmet is the most recent addition to the Revolution series of helmets made by Riddell. The helmet is designed around the head's center of gravity, and is intended to reduce the prevalence of concussions. Recent data has brought the issues of football concussions to the public attention. An estimated 5 percent of high school players suffer concussions each year, [3] and there is a widening body of evidence suggesting that long-term football players to a type of brain damage called chronic traumatic encephalopathy. [4] Since most concussion-causing impacts occur on the side of the head and face, the helmet features mandible extensions which the cover the wearer's jaw line. The helmet is lined with a custom fit cellular air pad system made of polyurethane and synthetic rubber foam, and the shell is made of a polycarbonate alloy. A lightweight titanium face guard is attached to the helmet. [5]

HITS Technology

The Revolution helmet can be mounted with Head Impact Telemetry Systems (HITS) technology, a microprocessor, a radio transmitter, and a system of six accelerometers placed inside the helmet which measure the force, location, and direction of an impact on the helmet. When a player's head accelerates due to a collision, the acceleration is registered and brought up on a computer as a three-dimensional image of the head with the location of contact marked with an arrow. A bar graph is used to indicate the force of the blow. [6] While players and staff may be able to use this information in determining whether a player requires medical attention, there is currently no medically conclusive method of determining which impacts might lead to a concussion. [7]

History

The Revolution was first distributed in 2002. As of 2007, Riddell had sold 750,000 Revolution helmets. [8] [9] [10]

Injury Prevention Research and Controversy

One major study on the helmet's effectiveness (funded by Riddell) was conducted by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The research compared the Revolution helmet with other models. 2,000 high school players participated in the study which took place over the course of three years. The study's results showed that 5.4% of the athletes wearing the Revolution helmet suffered a concussion during a game as opposed to 7.6% of the players wearing the older model helmets. High school players wearing the Revolution helmet were 31% less likely to experience a concussion. [11] The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center later disavowed these results, citing problems with the design of the study, according to the book League of Denial . [12] The Federal Trade Commission also conducted an independent investigation into the safety claims made by Riddell. It concluded that "the study did not substantiate Riddell’s claim that Revolution varsity football helmets reduce concussions or the risk of concussion by 31% compared to other varsity football helmets." [13] It also invalidated all claims relating to youth football and the Revolution youth helmet due to the fact that the UPMC study tested neither youth players nor the youth version of the helmet. [13] Despite determining that Riddell falsely represented numerous claims, the FTC chose not to sanction Riddell as the company had already discontinued use of the 31% claim. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concussion</span> Medical condition

A concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is a head injury that temporarily affects brain functioning. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness; memory loss; headaches; difficulty with thinking, concentration, or balance; nausea; blurred vision; dizziness; sleep disturbances, and mood changes. Any of these symptoms may begin immediately, or appear days after the injury. Concussion should be suspected if a person indirectly or directly hits their head and experiences any of the symptoms of concussion. Symptoms of a concussion may be delayed by 1–2 days after the accident. It is not unusual for symptoms to last 2 weeks in adults and 4 weeks in children. Fewer than 10% of sports-related concussions among children are associated with loss of consciousness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hockey helmet</span> Type of helmet used in ice hockey and similar sports

A hockey helmet is worn by players of ice hockey, inline hockey, and bandy to help protect the head from potential injury when hit by the puck, sticks, skates, boards, other players, or the ice. The shell of a hockey helmet is generally made of a substance called vinyl nitrile that disperses force from the point of contact, while the liner may be made of either vinyl nitrile foam, expanded polypropylene foam, or other material to absorb the energy, to reduce the chances of concussion. Hockey helmets grip the head from inside by cupping the back of head, or the occipital protuberance. Helmet manufacturers will have a chart that relates their helmet sizes to head measurements. On older models, the helmet size is adjusted by loosening the screws on the side to slide the front portion forward or back.

A football helmet is a type of protective headgear used mainly in gridiron football, although a structural variation has occasional use in Australian rules football. It consists of a hard plastic shell with thick padding on the inside, a face mask made of one or more plastic-coated metal bars, and a chinstrap. Each position has a different type of face mask to balance protection and visibility, and some players add polycarbonate visors to their helmets, which are used to protect their eyes from glare and impacts. Helmets are a requirement at all levels of organized football, except for non-tackle variations such as flag football. Although they are protective, players can and do still suffer head injuries such as concussions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health issues in American football</span> Dangers to the health of athletes participating in American football

Health issues in American football comprise a large number of health risks associated with participating in the sport. Injuries are relatively common in American football, due to its nature as a full-contact game. Injuries occur during both practice and games. Several factors can affect the frequency of injuries: epidemiological studies have shown older players can be at a greater risk, while equipment and experienced coaches can reduce the risk of injury. Common injuries include strains, sprains, fractures, dislocations, and concussions. Concussions have become a concern, as they increase the risk of mental illnesses like dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). In individual leagues like the National Football League (NFL) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), a public injury report is published containing all injured players on a team, their injury and the game-day status of each player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chronic traumatic encephalopathy</span> Neurodegenerative disease caused by head injury

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated trauma to the head. The encephalopathy symptoms can include behavioral problems, mood problems, and problems with thinking. The disease often gets worse over time and can result in dementia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell Sports</span> American manufacturer of helmets

Bell Sports is an American bicycle and motorcycle helmet manufacturer. The company is a subsidiary of Vista Outdoor. BRG Sports, owner of Riddell football helmets, sold some of its brands to Vista in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eyeshield</span> American football equipment

An eyeshield is a piece of football equipment that is also referred to as a visor that was created in the 1980s. In the mid 1990s as an effort to prevent brain and head injuries, headgear became mandatory in the game of football. The eyeshield was created to protect the eyes of football players during games and practices. It is a curved piece of plastic that attaches to the front of a football helmet. Safety equipment such as the facemask, eyeshields, and other face shields have been adopted over time to prevent player injury. The eyeshield leaves the mouth exposed, but covers the eyes and nose. The piece of equipment is made from various materials and by many different brands. Only clear eyeshields are permitted for use in high school football games because eyes are needed to be seen while checking for a concussion. For college level players, the eyeshield may be tinted for players with eye problems.

Professionals and amateurs alike wear protective headgear (helmets) to reduce the chance of injury while playing American and Canadian football. The football helmet has changed over time and many different materials have become available. The rules of the game have changed as well.

Association football headgear is worn by association football players to protect the head from injury. The headgear is designed to absorb the impact of blows to the head by external physical forces in order to reduce the chance of a concussion, a noteworthy example in international football being Czech goalkeeper Petr Čech from Chelsea. These collisions can occur from head to head, head to ground, head to goal post, or head to body extremity contact. It is flexible, not a rigid helmet.

Riddell Sports Group is an American company specializing in sports equipment for American football. It was headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois. In 2017, the company relocated to a new facility in adjacent Des Plaines, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health issues in youth sports</span>

The health issues of youth sports are concerns regarding the health and wellbeing of young people between the ages of 6 and 18 who participate in an organized sport. Given that these athletes are physically and mentally underdeveloped, they are particularly susceptible to heat illness, eating disorders and injury; sufficiently severe conditions can result in death. Awareness and prevention are key factors in preventing many health issues in youth sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmet-to-helmet collision</span> Dangerous contact in gridiron football

Helmet-to-helmet collisions are occurrences in gridiron football when two players' football helmets make head-to-head contact with a high degree of force. Intentionally causing a helmet-to-helmet collision is a penalty in most football leagues, including many high school leagues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prevention of concussions</span>

Prevention of mild traumatic brain injury involves taking general measures to prevent traumatic brain injury, such as wearing seat belts, using airbags in cars, securing heavy furnitures and objects before earthquake or covering and holding under the table during an earthquake. Older people are encouraged to try to prevent falls, for example by keeping floors free of clutter and wearing thin, flat, shoes with hard soles that do not interfere with balance.

Concussions and play-related head blows in American football have been shown to be the cause of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which has led to player deaths and other debilitating symptoms after retirement, including memory loss, depression, anxiety, headaches, stress, and sleep disturbances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schutt Sports</span> Former American Manufacturer

Schutt Sports was a United States company that manufactured protective gear for several sports, focusing on American football, baseball, softball, and lacrosse. Products manufactured by company, headquartered in Litchfield, Illinois, included helmets and other protections such as jockstraps, and shoulder pads. The company also produced American football sportswear including jerseys and pants.

Concussions, a type of mild traumatic brain injury, are a frequent concern for those playing sports, from children and teenagers to professional athletes. Repeated concussions are known to cause neurological disorders, particularly chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which in professional athletes has led to premature retirement, erratic behavior and even suicide. A sports-related concussion is defined as a "complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by biomechanical forces". Because concussions cannot be seen on X-rays or CT scans, attempts to prevent concussions have been difficult.

A sports-related traumatic brain injury is a serious accident which may lead to significant morbidity or mortality. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in sports are usually a result of physical contact with another person or stationary object, These sports may include boxing, gridiron football, field/ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, rugby, soccer, wrestling, auto racing, cycling, equestrian, rollerblading, skateboarding, skiing or snowboarding.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a blow, jolt or penetration to the head that disrupts the function of the brain. Most TBIs are caused by falls, jumps, motor vehicle traffic crashes, being struck by a person or a blunt object, and assault. Student-athletes may be put at risk in school sports, creating concern about concussions and brain injury. A concussion can be caused by a direct blow to the head, or an indirect blow to the body that causes reactions in the brain. The result of a concussion is neurological impairment that may resolve spontaneously but may also have long-term consequences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concussions in Australian sport</span>

Head injuries in sports of any level are the most dangerous kind of injuries that can occur in sport, and are becoming more common in Australian sport. Concussions are the most common side effect of a head injury and are defined as "temporary unconsciousness or confusion and other symptoms caused by a blow to the head." A concussion also falls under the category of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Especially in contact sports like Australian rules football and rugby, issues with concussions are prevalent, and methods to deal with, prevent and treat concussions are continuously being updated and researched to deal with the issue. Concussions pose a serious threat to the patients’ mental and physical health, as well as their playing career, and can result in lasting brain damage especially if left untreated. The signs that a player may have a concussion are: loss of consciousness or non-responsiveness, balance problems, a dazed, blank or vacant look and/or confusion and unawareness of their surroundings. Of course the signs are relevant only after the player experiences a blow to the head.

Michael J. Stuart is an American sports physician and orthopedic surgeon. He is a professor and vice-chairman of orthopedic surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and a co-director of the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center. He has published more than 370 journal articles and 50 book chapters, as of 2022. He specializes in sports medicine, and advocates for strength, flexibility, and awareness, to reduce injuries in ice hockey. He collaborated to arrange the 2010, 2013 and 2017 Ice Hockey Summits, which focused on concussions, and educational programs for players, coaches and parents. His concussion research includes studying biomarkers, neuroimaging, and cognitive neuroscience. He argues that concussions are diagnosed more accurately with electroencephalography and the King-Devick Test eye test, and advocates their usage in sport.

References

  1. ↑ Zaroa, Brett. 2008. "GRIDIRON GEAR GOES TO WAR." Popular Science 273, no. 3: 86. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed January 25, 2010).
  2. ↑ Noden, Merrell. 2004. "Charting All the Hits." Sports Illustrated 101, no. 19: 26-33. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed February 9, 2010).
  3. ↑ Meadows, Bob. 2007. "CONCUSSIONS." People 68, no. 15: 107-110. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed February 9, 2010).
  4. ↑ Miller, Michael Craig. 2010. "Concussions in football." Harvard Mental Health Letter 26, no. 7: 8. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed February 6, 2010).
  5. ↑ 2009. "Helmet design reduces concussions." Advanced Materials & Processes 167, no. 2: 4. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed January 27, 2010).
  6. ↑ Noden, Merrell. 2004. "Charting All the Hits." Sports Illustrated 101, no. 19: 26-33. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed February 9, 2010).
  7. ↑ Nagourney, Eric. 2007. "Football Head Injuries, Not So Cut and Dried." New York Times, December 18. 6. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed February 6, 2010).
  8. ↑ Simpson, Tyler. 2003. "The Seeds of Innovation...In Sports." Brandweek 44, no. 3: 22. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed January 25, 2010).
  9. ↑ Chadiha, Jeffri, Kostya Kennedy, and Richard Deitsch. 2002. "Headbanger's Ball." Sports Illustrated 97, no. 8: 22. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed January 25, 2010).
  10. ↑ Schwarz, Alan. 2007. "Studies for Competing Design Called Into Question." New York Times, October 27. 10. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed January 25, 2010).
  11. ↑ Hoff, David J. 2006. "SPORTS SAFETY." Education Week 25, no. 24: 16. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed February 9, 2010).
  12. ↑ Fainaru-Wada, Mark (2013). League of Denial. New York: Random House LLC. p. 315. ISBN   9780770437541.
  13. 1 2 "Improving Sports Safety: A Multifaceted Approach" (PDF). Federal Trade Commission. United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  14. ↑ Engle, Mary (24 April 2013). "Closing Letter to Riddell" (PDF). Federal Trade Commission. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
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