Poor helmet fit associated with concussion severity in high school football players

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/aaoo-phf030316.php

Public Release: 4-Mar-2016
Poor helmet fit associated with concussion severity in high school football players
Coaches, trainers and physicians need to supervise helmet checks throughout the sports season
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

High school football players with ill-fitting helmets are at greater risk for more severe concussions, according to a study presented today at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

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Athletes who suffered concussions due to improper fitting helmets had higher rates of drowsiness, hyperexcitability and sensitivity to noise. Many of these athletes experienced more than one of the 13 concussive symptoms reviewed retrospectively in the study. In addition, athletes wearing helmets lined with air bladders suffered concussions that lasted longer.

"Correct helmet fit varies with helmet design, and players are encouraged to fit their equipment according to manufacturers' instructions," said study co-author Dustin Greenhill, MD, an orthopaedic surgery resident at Temple.

Dr. Greenhill explained that when helmets don't fit correctly, an athlete's cervical muscles in their neck and head may not be able to reduce the force of impact on the brain, especially when parts of the body rotate during high-speed hits. Helmet fit can change and evolve during the season and games, due to sweat, hair style, rain, cold weather clothing, and other factors.

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