Characterization of On-Field Head Impact Exposure in Youth Soccer

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Brian T. Tomblin ◽  
N. Stewart Pritchard ◽  
Tanner M. Filben ◽  
Logan E. Miller ◽  
Christopher M. Miles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Head Kinematics ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
Ball Contact

The objective of this research was to characterize head impacts with a validated mouthpiece sensor in competitive youth female soccer players during a single season with a validated mouthpiece sensor. Participants included 14 youth female soccer athletes across 2 club-level teams at different age levels (team 1, ages 12–13 y; team 2, ages 14–15 y). Head impact and time-synchronized video data were collected for 66 practices and games. Video data were reviewed to characterize the type and frequency of contact experienced by each athlete. A total of 2216 contact scenarios were observed; heading the ball (n = 681, 30.7%) was most common. Other observed contact scenarios included collisions, dives, falls, and unintentional ball contact. Team 1 experienced a higher rate of headers per player per hour of play than team 2, while team 2 experienced a higher rate of collisions and dives. A total of 935 video-verified contact scenarios were concurrent with recorded head kinematics. While headers resulted in a maximum linear acceleration of 56.1g, the less frequent head-to-head collisions (n = 6) resulted in a maximum of 113.5g. The results of this study improve the understanding of head impact exposure in youth female soccer players and inform head impact exposure reduction in youth soccer.

Characterization of Head Impact Exposure in Women’s Collegiate Soccer

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Tanner M. Filben ◽  
Nicholas S. Pritchard ◽  
Logan E. Miller ◽  
Sarah K. Woods ◽  
Megan E. Hayden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Impact Location ◽  
Impact Rate ◽  
Session Type

Soccer players are regularly exposed to head impacts by intentionally heading the ball. Evidence suggests repetitive subconcussive head impacts may affect the brain, and females may be more vulnerable to brain injury than males. This study aimed to characterize head impact exposure among National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s soccer players using a previously validated mouthpiece-based sensor. Sixteen players were instrumented during 72 practices and 24 games. Head impact rate and rate of risk-weighted cumulative exposure were compared across session type and player position. Head kinematics were compared across session type, impact type, player position, impact location, and ball delivery method. Players experienced a mean (95% confidence interval) head impact rate of 0.468 (0.289 to 0.647) head impacts per hour, and exposure rates varied by session type and player position. Headers accounted for 89% of head impacts and were associated with higher linear accelerations and rotational accelerations than nonheader impacts. Headers in which the ball was delivered by a long kick had greater peak kinematics (all P < .001) than headers in which the ball was delivered by any other method. Results provide increased understanding of head impact frequency and magnitude in women’s collegiate soccer and may help inform efforts to prevent brain injury.

scholarly journals NON-HEADER IMPACT EXPOSURE AND KINEMATICS OF MALE YOUTH SOCCER PLAYERS

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-113
Author(s):  
Declan A. Patton ◽  
◽  
Colin M. Huber ◽  
Susan S. Margulies ◽  
Christina L. Master ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Male Youth ◽  
Impact Mechanism ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Ball Contact ◽  
Range Of Values

Previous studies have investigated the head impact kinematics of purposeful heading in youth soccer; however, less than a third of all head injuries in youth soccer have been found to involve ball contact. The aim of the current study was to identify the head impact kinematics and exposure not associated with purposeful heading of the ball in male youth soccer. Headband-mounted sensors were used to monitor the head kinematics of male junior varsity and middle school teams during games. Video analysis of sensor-recorded events was used to code impact mechanism, surface and site. Junior varsity players had non-header impact rates of 0.28 per athlete-exposure (AE) and 0.37 per player-hour (PH), whereas middle school players had relatively lower non-header impact rates of 0.16 per AE and 0.25 per PH. Such impact rates fell within the large range of values reported by previous studies, which is likely affected by sensor type and recording trigger threshold. The most common non-header impact mechanism in junior varsity soccer was player contact, whereas ball-to-head was the most common non-header impact mechanism in middle school soccer. Non-header impacts for junior varsity players had median peak kinematics of 31.0 g and 17.4 rad/s. Non-header impacts for middle school players had median peak kinematics of 40.6 g and 16.2 rad/s. For non-header impacts, ball impacts to the rear of the head the highest peak kinematics recorded by the sensor. Such data provide targets for future efforts in injury prevention, such as officiating efforts to control player-to-player contact.

Evaluation of head impact exposure measured from youth football game plays

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian E. Urban ◽  
William C. Flood ◽  
Barret J. Zimmerman ◽  
Mireille E. Kelley ◽  
Mark A. Espeland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Youth Football ◽  
Football Game ◽  
Field Activity ◽  
False Start ◽  
Support Policy

OBJECTIVEThere is a growing body of literature informing efforts to improve the safety of football; however, research relating on-field activity to head impacts in youth football is limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare head impact exposure (HIE) measured in game plays among 3 youth football teams.METHODSHead impact and video data were collected from athletes (ages 10–13 years) participating on 3 youth football teams. Video analysis was performed to verify head impacts and assign each to a specific play type. Each play was categorized as a down, punt, kickoff, field goal, or false start. Kickoffs and punts were classified as special teams. Downs were classified as running, passing, or other. HIE was quantified by play type in terms of mean, median, and 95th percentile linear and rotational acceleration. Mixed-effects models were used to assess differences in acceleration among play types. Contact occurring on special teams plays was evaluated using a standardized video abstraction form.RESULTSA total of 3003 head impacts over 27.5 games were analyzed and paired with detailed video coding of plays. Most head impacts were attributed to running (79.6%), followed by passing (14.0%), and special teams (6.4%) plays. The 95th percentile linear acceleration measured during each play type was 52.6g, 50.7g, and 65.5g, respectively. Special teams had significantly greater mean linear acceleration than running and passing plays (both p = 0.03). The most common kick result on special teams was a deep kick, of which 85% were attempted to be returned. No special teams plays resulted in a touchback, and one resulted in a fair catch. One-third of all special teams plays and 92% of all nonreturned kicks resulted in athletes diving toward the ball.CONCLUSIONSThe results demonstrate a trend toward higher head impact magnitudes on special teams than for running and passing plays, but a greater number of impacts were measured during running plays. Deep kicks were most common on special teams, and many returned and nonreturned kicks resulted in athletes diving toward the ball. These results support policy changes to youth special teams plays, including modifying the yard line the ball is kicked from and coaching proper return technique. Further investigation into biomechanical exposure measured during game impact scenarios is needed to inform policy relevant to the youth level.

scholarly journals Analysis of Head Impact Biomechanics in Youth Female Soccer Players Following the Get aHEAD Safely in Soccer™ Heading Intervention

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3859
Author(s):  
Victoria E. Wahlquist ◽  
Thomas W. Kaminski
Keyword(s):  
Neurocognitive Function ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Head Impact Biomechanics ◽  
Impact Biomechanics ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Youth Population ◽  
Program Intervention

The effects of repetitive head impacts associated with soccer heading, especially in the youth population, are unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine balance, neurocognitive function, and head impact biomechanics after an acute bout of heading before and after the Get aHEAD Safely in Soccer™ program intervention. Twelve youth female soccer players wore a Triax SIM-G head impact sensor during two bouts of heading, using a lightweight soccer ball, one before and one after completion of the Get aHEAD Safely in Soccer™ program intervention. Participants completed balance (BESS and SWAY) and neurocognitive function (ImPACT) tests at baseline and after each bout of heading. There were no significant changes in head impact biomechanics, BESS, or ImPACT scores pre- to post-season. Deficits in three of the five SWAY positions were observed from baseline to post-season. Although we expected to see beneficial changes in head impact biomechanics following the intervention, the coaches and researchers observed an improvement in heading technique/form. Lightweight soccer balls would be a beneficial addition to header drills during training as they are safe and help build confidence in youth soccer players.

scholarly journals Game-Related Impacts in High School Boys’ Lacrosse

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 232596711983558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane V. Caswell ◽  
Patricia Kelshaw ◽  
Andrew E. Lincoln ◽  
Lisa Hepburn ◽  
Reginald Dunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Rotational Velocity ◽  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
The United States ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Direct Head ◽  
The Impact

Background: The rate of concussions in boys’ lacrosse is reported to be the third highest among high school sports in the United States, but no studies have described game-related impacts among boys’ lacrosse players. Purpose: To characterize verified game-related impacts, both overall and those directly to the head, in boys’ varsity high school lacrosse. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 77 male participants (mean age, 16.6 ± 1.2 years; mean height, 1.77 ± 0.05 m; mean weight, 73.4 ± 12.2 kg) were instrumented with sensors and were videotaped during 39 games. All verified game-related impacts ≥20 g were summarized in terms of frequency, peak linear acceleration (PLA), and peak rotational velocity (PRV). Descriptive statistics and impact rates per player-game (PG) with corresponding 95% CIs were calculated. Results: Overall, 1100 verified game-related impacts were recorded (PLA: median, 33.5 g [interquartile range (IQR), 25.7-51.2]; PRV: median, 1135.5 deg/s [IQR, 790.0-1613.8]) during 795 PGs. The rate for all verified game-related impacts was 1.38 impacts per PG (95% CI, 1.30-1.47). Of these, 680 (61.8%) impacts (PLA: median, 35.9 g [IQR, 26.7-55.5]; PRV: 1170.5 deg/s [IQR, 803.2-1672.8]) were directly to the head (impact rate, 0.86 impacts/PG [95% CI, 0.79-0.92]). Overall, midfielders (n = 514; 46.7%) sustained the most impacts, followed by attackers (n = 332; 30.2%), defenders (n = 233; 21.2%), and goalies (n = 21; 1.9%). The most common mechanisms for overall impacts and direct head impacts were contact with player (overall: n = 706 [64.2%]; head: n = 397 [58.4%]) and stick (overall: n = 303 [27.5%]; head: n = 239 [35.1%]), followed by ground (overall: n = 73 [6.6%]; head: n = 26 [3.8%]) and ball (overall: n = 15 [1.4%]; head: n = 15 [2.2%]). Direct head impacts were associated with a helmet-to-helmet collision 31.2% of the time, and they were frequently (53.7%) sustained by the players delivering the impact. Nearly half (48.8%) of players delivering contact used their helmets to initiate contact that resulted in a helmet-to-helmet impact. Players receiving a head impact from player contact were most often unprepared (75.9%) for the collision. Conclusion: The helmet is commonly used to initiate contact in boys’ high school lacrosse, often targeting defenseless opponents. Interventions to reduce head impacts should address rules and coaching messages to discourage intentional use of the helmet and encourage protection of defenseless opponents.

scholarly journals Biomechanical head impact characteristics during sparring practice sessions in high school taekwondo athletes

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 662-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. O'Sullivan ◽  
Gabriel P. Fife
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Rotational Velocity ◽  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Rotational Acceleration ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Head Injury Criterion ◽  
Impact Location ◽  
Male High School ◽  
Impact Characteristics

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to monitor head impact magnitude and characteristics, such as impact location and frequency, at high school taekwondo sparring sessions.METHODSEight male high school taekwondo athletes participated in this study. The head impact characteristics were recorded by X-Patch, a wireless accelerometer and gyroscope, during 6 taekwondo sparring sessions. The outcome measures were the peak linear acceleration (g = 9.81 msec2), peak rotational acceleration, rotational velocity, and Head Injury Criterion.RESULTSA total of 689 impacts occurred over 6 sessions involving the 8 athletes. There was an average of 24 impacts per 100 minutes, and there were significant differences in the frequency of impacts among both the sessions and individual athletes. In order of frequency, the most commonly hit locations were the side (38.2%), back (35.7%), and front (23.8%) of the head.CONCLUSIONSThe data indicate that there is a relatively high number of head impacts experienced by taekwondo athletes during sparring practice. According to the rotational acceleration predicting impact severity published in previous research, 17.1% of the impacts were deemed to be a moderate and 15.5% were deemed to be severe.

scholarly journals Head Impact Kinematics do not Predict In-Season Concussion or Lower Extremity Injury in Ice Hockey

Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (14 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S30.2-S31
Author(s):  
Melissa DiFabio ◽  
Katherine Breedlove ◽  
Thomas Buckley
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Lower Extremity Injury ◽  
Extremity Injury ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Increased Risk

ObjectiveTo examine if head impact kinematics (HIK) predict in-season concussion or acute lower extremity injury (LEI) in collegiate ice hockey.BackgroundSustaining head impacts in sport regularly may be damaging to long-term neurological health. Individuals who sustain higher head impact loads may be at increased risk for concussion, and furthermore, individuals who sustain a concussion are more likely to sustain a subsequent LEI than those without a history of concussion.Design/MethodsTwenty-nine collegiate club male ice hockey players (age: 20.2 ± 1.4) over the 2015-2018 seasons completed a survey at the conclusion of their season of LEI and concussion in-season. HIK (number of impacts, and mean, peak, and cumulative linear acceleration) were recorded via tri-axial accelerometers (Triax, Nowalk, CT) that each player wore for games/practices with a 10g impact threshold. Two binary logistic regressions were performed to determine if either sustaining a concussion or LEI was predicted by HIK.ResultsThere was no relationship between LEI or concussion with number of impacts (β:-0.018, p = 0.711, 95% CI:-0.12-0.84; β:-0.039, p = 0.55, 95% CI: -0.21-0.08, respectively), or mean (β:0.041, p = 0.79, 95% CI: -0.26-0.38; β:-0.040, p = 0.81, 95% CI: -0.37-0.32), peak (β:-0.065, p = 0.14, 95% CI: -0.16-0.01; β:0.0007, p = 0.99, 95% CI: -0.09-0.09), or cumulative acceleration (β:0.001, p = 0.42, 95% CI: -0.001-0.004; β:0.001, p = 0.55, 95% CI:-0.002-0.005). 7/29 players sustained a LEI and 6/29 sustained a concussion. Mean value for number of impacts was 59.7 ± 49.1 (range:3-171); mean acceleration: 33.9 ± 5.3g (range:22.0-42.22), peak: 71.8 ± 19.0g (range: 30.8-108.4); cumulative: 2,108.5 ± 1,793.8g (range 71.8-6517.2).ConclusionsThe main finding of this study is that greater HIK do not predict whether individuals sustained either an acute LEI or concussion during the season, albeit from a small sample. As HIK load is related to concussion incidence, it is possible HIK load may also be related to LEI, however, these results suggest HIK alone is not related to either in an ice hockey cohort.

scholarly journals Similar head impact acceleration measured using instrumented ear patches in a junior rugby union team during matches in comparison with other sports

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug A. King ◽  
Patria A. Hume ◽  
Conor Gissane ◽  
Trevor N. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Injury Risk ◽  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
American Football ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Impact Acceleration ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rugby Players

OBJECTIVE Direct impact with the head and the inertial loading of the head have been postulated as major mechanisms of head-related injuries, such as concussion. METHODS This descriptive observational study was conducted to quantify the head impact acceleration characteristics in under-9-year-old junior rugby union players in New Zealand. The impact magnitude, frequency, and location were collected with a wireless head impact sensor that was worn by 14 junior rugby players who participated in 4 matches. RESULTS A total of 721 impacts > 10g were recorded. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) number of impacts per player was 46 (IQR 37–58), resulting in 10 (IQR 4–18) impacts to the head per player per match. The median impact magnitudes recorded were 15g (IQR 12g–21g) for linear acceleration and 2296 rad/sec2 (IQR 1352–4152 rad/sec2) for rotational acceleration. CONCLUSIONS There were 121 impacts (16.8%) above the rotational injury risk limit and 1 (0.1%) impact above the linear injury risk limit. The acceleration magnitude and number of head impacts in junior rugby union players were higher than those previously reported in similar age-group sports participants. The median linear acceleration for the under-9-year-old rugby players were similar to 7- to 8-year-old American football players, but lower than 9- to 12-year-old youth American football players. The median rotational accelerations measured were higher than the median and 95th percentiles in youth, high school, and collegiate American football players.

Head Kinematics by Contact Scenarios in Youth Ice Hockey

Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (20 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S1.1-S1
Author(s):  
Abigail Swenson ◽  
Logan Miller ◽  
Jillian Urban ◽  
Joel Stitzel
Keyword(s):  
Rotational Velocity ◽  
Angular Acceleration ◽  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Contact Sports ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Rigorous Study ◽  
Improving Accuracy ◽  
Impact Events

ObjectiveThe objective of this pilot study was to characterize head impact exposure in a sample of youth boys' ice hockey using a novel instrumented mouthpiece, improving accuracy.BackgroundFrom 2010 to 2018 youth ice hockey saw a 15% increase in participation, despite growing concerns for concussion risk in contact sports. While contact sports with similar rates of concussion have been subjected to rigorous study, head impact exposure in youth ice hockey has been largely underexplored. Existing youth studies have utilized helmet-mounted sensors, which are associated with error due to poor coupling with the skull.Design/MethodsCustom mouthpieces containing a tri-axial accelerometer and gyroscope were fit to seven enrolled athletes, and monitored during practices and games throughout the season. Linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the head were recorded for 60 ms when 5 g was exceeded on any axis for at least 3 ms. Time-synchronized film was reviewed to identify the contact scenario and head contact. Summary statistics of kinematics were calculated by scenario and presence of head contact.ResultsA total of 465 events were recorded over 25 weeks. Of these events 25% involved head contact; 92% of all contact scenarios were board checks, falls, or ice checks. Events involving head contact (i.e., head impacts) had median [95th percentile] peak linear acceleration, rotational velocity, and angular acceleration of 8.1 [30.9] g, 7.9 [20.2] rad/s, and 614 [2673] rad/s2, respectively. Events not involving head contact had median [95th percentile] peak linear acceleration, rotational velocity, and angular acceleration of 6.6 [43.8] g, 6.5 [17.5] rad/s, and 455 [4115] rad/s2, respectively.ConclusionsThe majority of the recorded events could be classified as board checks, falls, or ice checks. Median peak kinematics were higher for head impacts than non-head impact events. In contrast, 95th percentile linear and angular accelerations were greater for impacts not involving head contact.

Characterizing Verified Head Impacts in High School Girls’ Lacrosse

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (14) ◽  
pp. 3374-3381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane V. Caswell ◽  
Andrew E. Lincoln ◽  
Hannah Stone ◽  
Patricia Kelshaw ◽  
Margot Putukian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Mastoid Process ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Impact Rate ◽  
Game Situation ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Background: Girls’ high school lacrosse players have higher rates of head and facial injuries than boys. Research indicates that these injuries are caused by stick, player, and ball contacts. Yet, no studies have characterized head impacts in girls’ high school lacrosse. Purpose: To characterize girls’ high school lacrosse game-related impacts by frequency, magnitude, mechanism, player position, and game situation. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Thirty-five female participants (mean age, 16.2 ± 1.2 years; mean height, 1.66 ± 0.05 m; mean weight, 61.2 ± 6.4 kg) volunteered during 28 games in the 2014 and 2015 lacrosse seasons. Participants wore impact sensors affixed to the right mastoid process before each game. All game-related impacts recorded by the sensors were verified using game video. Data were summarized for all verified impacts in terms of frequency, peak linear acceleration (PLA), and peak rotational acceleration (PRA). Descriptive statistics and impact rates were calculated. Results: Fifty-eight verified game-related impacts ≥20 g were recorded (median PLA, 33.8 g; median PRA, 6151.1 rad/s2) during 467 player-games. The impact rate for all game-related verified impacts was 0.12 per athlete-exposure (AE) (95% CI, 0.09-0.16), equivalent to 2.1 impacts per team game, indicating that each athlete suffered fewer than 2 head impacts per season ≥20 g. Of these impacts, 28 (48.3%) were confirmed to directly strike the head, corresponding with an impact rate of 0.05 per AE (95% CI, 0.00-0.10). Overall, midfielders (n = 28, 48.3%) sustained the most impacts, followed by defenders (n = 12, 20.7%), attackers (n = 11, 19.0%), and goalies (n = 7, 12.1%). Goalies demonstrated the highest median PLA and PRA (38.8 g and 8535.0 rad/s2, respectively). The most common impact mechanisms were contact with a stick (n = 25, 43.1%) and a player (n = 17, 29.3%), followed by the ball (n = 7, 12.1%) and the ground (n = 7, 12.1%). One hundred percent of ball impacts occurred to goalies. Most impacts occurred to field players within the attack area of the field (n = 32, 55.2%) or the midfield (n = 18, 31.0%). Most (95%) impacts did not result in a penalty. Conclusion: The incidence of verified head impacts in girls’ high school lacrosse was quite low. Ball to head impacts were associated with the highest impact magnitudes. While stick and body contacts are illegal in girls’ high school lacrosse, rarely did such impacts to the head result in a penalty. The verification of impact mechanisms using video review is critical to collect impact sensor data.

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