New research suggests that football helmets/head-gear do not necessarily reduce the risk of players suffering concussions on the field, reports NewsInferno.com.
The research, presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, followed 1,332 football players at 36 high schools across the United States during the 2012 football season. Out of all the footballs players, 115 suffered sports related injuries, or 8.5 percent.
The players wore one of three different kinds of helmets, manufactured by Riddell, Schutt, or Xenith. Research found that there was no difference in concussion rates between the three different manufacturers, or the manufacturing year of the helmets.
Riddell made up 52 percent of the helmets worn by players, while Schutt made up 35 percent, and Xenith 33 percent. Further, 39 percent of the helmets were bought between 2011-2013, 33 percent between 2009-2010, and 28 percent between 2002-2008. There was no difference in concussion rates between the older and newer helmets.
Another surprising finding was that those players who wore custom-fitted mouth guards as opposed to generic mouth guards actually experienced an increased sports-related concussion rate.
Manufactures have released special headgear, such as liners, bumpers, pads and electronic devices that they say will reduce concussion risks, despite lacking data that indicates these statements are true for kid players. These claims have the potential to mislead parents and players and could result in player injury.
A total of 25 American high school football players have died since 2003, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research. About 1.1 million teenagers played high school football in 2012 in the U.S., while there were about 4.2 million football players from youth to the NFL level. Each year, about 40,000 sports-related concussions are reported in U.S. high schools.
The Parrish Law Firm injury attorneys work with Virginia youth who have suffered head or spine injuries because of another party’s negligence. Contact us today for a free case consultation, or call us at 703-906-4229.
A representative of the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC researched and wrote this article with Mr. Parrish’s consent. If you have any questions regarding the legal implications of what you have just read, please send us your question so we can have our attorney review it.
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