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.

Video Analysis Verification of Head Impact Events Measured by Wearable Sensors

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 2379-2387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Cortes ◽  
Andrew E. Lincoln ◽  
Gregory D. Myer ◽  
Lisa Hepburn ◽  
Michael Higgins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Video Analysis ◽  
Rotational Velocity ◽  
Wearable Sensors ◽  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Impact Events

Background: Wearable sensors are increasingly used to quantify the frequency and magnitude of head impact events in multiple sports. There is a paucity of evidence that verifies head impact events recorded by wearable sensors. Purpose: To utilize video analysis to verify head impact events recorded by wearable sensors and describe the respective frequency and magnitude. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Thirty male (mean age, 16.6 ± 1.2 years; mean height, 1.77 ± 0.06 m; mean weight, 73.4 ± 12.2 kg) and 35 female (mean age, 16.2 ± 1.3 years; mean height, 1.66 ± 0.05 m; mean weight, 61.2 ± 6.4 kg) players volunteered to participate in this study during the 2014 and 2015 lacrosse seasons. Participants were instrumented with GForceTracker (GFT; boys) and X-Patch sensors (girls). Simultaneous game video was recorded by a trained videographer using a single camera located at the highest midfield location. One-third of the field was framed and panned to follow the ball during games. Videographic and accelerometer data were time synchronized. Head impact counts were compared with video recordings and were deemed valid if (1) the linear acceleration was ≥20 g, (2) the player was identified on the field, (3) the player was in camera view, and (4) the head impact mechanism could be clearly identified. Descriptive statistics of peak linear acceleration (PLA) and peak rotational velocity (PRV) for all verified head impacts ≥20 g were calculated. Results: For the boys, a total recorded 1063 impacts (2014: n = 545; 2015: n = 518) were logged by the GFT between game start and end times (mean PLA, 46 ± 31 g; mean PRV, 1093 ± 661 deg/s) during 368 player-games. Of these impacts, 690 were verified via video analysis (65%; mean PLA, 48 ± 34 g; mean PRV, 1242 ± 617 deg/s). The X-Patch sensors, worn by the girls, recorded a total 180 impacts during the course of the games, and 58 (2014: n = 33; 2015: n = 25) were verified via video analysis (32%; mean PLA, 39 ± 21 g; mean PRV, 1664 ± 619 rad/s). Conclusion: The current data indicate that existing wearable sensor technologies may substantially overestimate head impact events. Further, while the wearable sensors always estimated a head impact location, only 48% of the impacts were a result of direct contact to the head as characterized on video. Using wearable sensors and video to verify head impacts may decrease the inclusion of false-positive impacts during game activity in the analysis.

Validation of a Custom Instrumented Retainer Form Factor for Measuring Linear and Angular Head Impact Kinematics

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Logan E. Miller ◽  
Calvin Kuo ◽  
Lyndia C. Wu ◽  
Jillian E. Urban ◽  
David B. Camarillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Form Factor ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Rotational Velocity ◽  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Contact Sports ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Sensing Technology ◽  
The One ◽  
Impact Data

Head impact exposure in popular contact sports is not well understood, especially in the youth population, despite recent advances in impact-sensing technology which has allowed widespread collection of real-time head impact data. Previous studies indicate that a custom-instrumented mouthpiece is a superior method for collecting accurate head acceleration data. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mounting a sensor device inside an acrylic retainer form factor to measure six-degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) head kinematic response. This study compares 6DOF mouthpiece kinematics at the head center of gravity (CG) to kinematics measured by an anthropomorphic test device (ATD). This study found that when instrumentation is mounted in the rigid retainer form factor, there is good coupling with the upper dentition and highly accurate kinematic results compared to the ATD. Peak head kinematics were correlated with r2 > 0.98 for both rotational velocity and linear acceleration and r2 = 0.93 for rotational acceleration. These results indicate that a rigid retainer-based form factor is an accurate and promising method of collecting head impact data. This device can be used to study head impacts in helmeted contact sports such as football, hockey, and lacrosse as well as nonhelmeted sports such as soccer and basketball. Understanding the magnitude and frequency of impacts sustained in various sports using an accurate head impact sensor, such as the one presented in this study, will improve our understanding of head impact exposure and sports-related concussion.

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 Spectrum of acute clinical characteristics of diagnosed concussions in college athletes wearing instrumented helmets

2012 ◽  
Vol 117 (6) ◽  
pp. 1092-1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Christine Duhaime ◽  
Jonathan G. Beckwith ◽  
Arthur C. Maerlender ◽  
Thomas W. McAllister ◽  
Joseph J. Crisco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Impact Event ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Impact Events ◽  
Specific Impact

Object Concussive head injuries have received much attention in the medical and public arenas, as concerns have been raised about the potential short- and long-term consequences of injuries sustained in sports and other activities. While many student athletes have required evaluation after concussion, the exact definition of concussion has varied among disciplines and over time. The authors used data gathered as part of a multiinstitutional longitudinal study of the biomechanics of head impacts in helmeted collegiate athletes to characterize what signs, symptoms, and clinical histories were used to designate players as having sustained concussions. Methods Players on 3 college football teams and 4 ice hockey teams (male and female) wore helmets instrumented with Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) technology during practices and games over 2–4 seasons of play. Preseason clinical screening batteries assessed baseline cognition and reported symptoms. If a concussion was diagnosed by the team medical staff, basic descriptive information was collected at presentation, and concussed players were reevaluated serially. The specific symptoms or findings associated with the diagnosis of acute concussion, relation to specific impact events, timing of symptom onset and diagnosis, and recorded biomechanical parameters were analyzed. Results Data were collected from 450 athletes with 486,594 recorded head impacts. Forty-eight separate concussions were diagnosed in 44 individual players. Mental clouding, headache, and dizziness were the most common presenting symptoms. Thirty-one diagnosed cases were associated with an identified impact event; in 17 cases no specific impact event was identified. Onset of symptoms was immediate in 24 players, delayed in 11, and unspecified in 13. In 8 cases the diagnosis was made immediately after a head impact, but in most cases the diagnosis was delayed (median 17 hours). One diagnosed concussion involved a 30-second loss of consciousness; all other players retained alertness. Most diagnoses were based on self-reported symptoms. The mean peak angular and rotational acceleration values for those cases associated with a specific identified impact were 86.1 ± 42.6g (range 16.5–177.9g) and 3620 ± 2166 rad/sec2 (range 183–7589 rad/sec2), respectively. Conclusions Approximately two-thirds of diagnosed concussions were associated with a specific contact event. Half of all players diagnosed with concussions had delayed or unclear timing of onset of symptoms. Most had no externally observed findings. Diagnosis was usually based on a range of self-reported symptoms after a variable delay. Accelerations clustered in the higher percentiles for all impact events, but encompassed a wide range. These data highlight the heterogeneity of criteria for concussion diagnosis, and in this sports context, its heavy reliance on self-reported symptoms. More specific and standardized definitions of clinical and objective correlates of a “concussion spectrum” may be needed in future research efforts, as well as in the clinical diagnostic arena.

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 Relationships between Head Impacts, Competitive Aggression, and Risk-taking Behavior in Collegiate Ice Hockey Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 780-780
Author(s):  
M S DiFabio ◽  
T A Buckley
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Impact Loads ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Hockey Players ◽  
Risk Taking Behavior ◽  
Sensation Seeking Scale

Abstract Purpose To examine relationships between head impact kinematics sustained over a season and competitive aggression and self-reported risk-taking behavior in collegiate club ice-hockey athletes. Methods Twenty male ice-hockey players (19.9±1.2 y.o, 1.8±0.06 m, 78.5±5.7 kg) completed the Competitive Anger and Aggression Scale (CAAS, Range:0-84) and the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS, Range:8-40) during the preseason as measures of competitive aggression and risk-taking behavior with higher/lower reflecting higher/lower aggression and risk taking. Penalty minutes (PM) and games played (GP) were taken from official game records. Head impact kinematics (number of impacts, linear mean, peak, cumulative acceleration) were recorded by tri-axial accelerometers worn during games/practices. Spearman correlation was performed to examine relationships between variables. Results The mean number of impacts was 76.6±54.9 (range: 6–171); mean and cumulative acceleration were 36.3±4.2g (range:27.8–42.2g) and 2829.4±2024.9g (range:198.4–6527.2g), respectively. Neither CAAS (mean: 48.7±10.9, range: 24–64) nor BSSS scores (mean: 25.3±4.4, range:15–32) were significantly related to impact kinematics. GP was significantly correlated with number of impacts (r=.63, p=.003) and cumulative linear acceleration (r=.61, p=.004). PM was significantly correlated with number of impacts (r=.52, p=.20) and cumulative linear acceleration (r=.55, p=.13). Conclusion There were no relationships between the head impact kinematics and self-reported aggressiveness or risk taking behavior, but more PM was strongly related to higher head impact loads. Considering PM may be useful in aiding to identify athletes who may sustain higher head impact loads, however, self-reports of behavior may not be.

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF A BODY CHECKING RULE CHANGE ON HEAD IMPACT BIOMECHANICS IN BANTAM ICE HOCKEY ATHLETES

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0021
Author(s):  
Patricia R. Combs ◽  
Cassie B. Ford ◽  
Elizabeth F. Teel ◽  
Erin B. Wasserman ◽  
Michael J. Cools ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Risk ◽  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Rotational Acceleration ◽  
Body Checking ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Head Impact Biomechanics ◽  
Impact Biomechanics ◽  
Hockey Players

Background: Body checking is the most common injury mechanism in ice hockey. Rule changes have sought to mitigate body checking exposure among youth players. In 2011, USA Hockey changed the legal body checking age from Pee Wee (11/12-year-olds) to Bantam (13/14-year-olds). Interestingly, Bantam players with checking experience during Pee Wee had a lower concussion risk relative to Bantam players without checking experience in a sample of Canadian youth hockey players. Understanding the head impact biomechanics underlying these findings could further elucidate the consequences of this rule change. Purpose: To determine the association between Pee Wee checking exposure and head impact biomechanics in a cohort of Bantam players. Methods: We prospectively collected data on Bantam ice hockey players during the 2006/07-2009/10 seasons and the 2012-2013 season. The 2006/07-2009/10 cohort (n= 61, age=13.9±0.5 years, height=168.2±8.7 cm, mass=59.9±10.4 kg) was allowed to body check (BC) as a Pee Wee player. The 2012-2013 cohort (n=15, age=13.3±0.4 years, height=167.5±7.4 cm, mass=57.5±8.6 kg) was not permitted to body check (NBC) as a Pee Wee player. Over the course of each season, head impacts were measured using in-helmet accelerometers. Only head impacts with linear acceleration ≥10 g were included in our analysis. Main outcome measures were mean linear acceleration (g) and rotational acceleration (rad/s2). Levene’s tests assessed equality of variance between groups. We employed mixed effects models to assess group differences in mean linear and rotational acceleration between BC and NBC groups. Results: The BC and NBC groups did not differ in height (t74=0.28, p=0.78) or mass (t74=0.84, p=0.40). When assessing group differences in head impact biomechanics, the NBC experienced significantly greater linear acceleration (F1,74=4.36, p=0.04) and greater rotational acceleration (F1,74=21.2, p<0.001) relative to the BC group. On average, the NBC group experienced 23.1 ± 0.87 g linear acceleration and 1993.5 ± 68.4 rad/s2 rotational acceleration compared to the BC group, which experienced 21.2 ± 0.30 g linear acceleration and 1615.9 ± 45.2 rad/s2 rotational acceleration. Conclusions: Bantam ice hockey players without body checking experience during their Pee Wee years experienced greater average linear and rotational acceleration relative to players with Pee Wee body checking experience. While removing body checking from Pee Wee ice hockey may reduce short-term injury risk, these athletes may demonstrate more high-risk head impact biomechanics when legally allowed to body check. Future research should continue to examine the influence of policy changes on head impact biomechanics and injury risk in youth ice hockey. [Figure: see text]

scholarly journals Concussion and the severity of head impacts in mixed martial arts

2020 ◽  
Vol 234 (12) ◽  
pp. 1472-1483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Tiernan ◽  
Aidan Meagher ◽  
David O’Sullivan ◽  
Eoin O’Keeffe ◽  
Eoin Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Martial Arts ◽  
Angular Acceleration ◽  
Linear Acceleration ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Sensor Technology ◽  
Mixed Martial Arts ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Impact Power ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
The Impact

Concern about the consequences of head impacts in US football has motivated researchers to investigate and develop instrumentation to measure the severity of these impacts. However, the severity of head impacts in unhelmeted sports is largely unknown as miniaturised sensor technology has only recently made it possible to measure these impacts in vivo. The objective of this study was to measure the linear and angular head accelerations in impacts in mixed martial arts, and correlate these with concussive injuries. Thirteen mixed martial arts fighters were fitted with the Stanford instrumented mouthguard (MiG2.0) participated in this study. The mouthguard recorded linear acceleration and angular velocity in 6 degrees of freedom. Angular acceleration was calculated by differentiation. All events were video recorded, time stamped and reported impacts confirmed. A total of 451 verified head impacts above 10g were recorded during 19 sparring events (n = 298) and 11 competitive events (n = 153). The average resultant linear acceleration was 38.0624.3g while the average resultant angular acceleration was 256761739 rad/s2. The competitive bouts resulted in five concussions being diagnosed by a medical doctor. The average resultant acceleration (of the impact with the highest angular acceleration) in these bouts was 86.7618.7g and 756163438 rad/s2. The average maximum Head Impact Power was 20.6kW in the case of concussion and 7.15kW for the uninjured athletes. In conclusion, the study recorded novel data for sub-concussive and concussive impacts. Events that resulted in a concussion had an average maximum angular acceleration that was 24.7% higher and an average maximum Head Impact Power that was 189% higher than events where there was no injury. The findings are significant in understanding the human tolerance to short-duration, high linear and angular accelerations.

scholarly journals Long-Term Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Consequences of Repetitive Concussion and Head-Impact Exposure

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas McAllister ◽  
Michael McCrea
Keyword(s):  
Sport Participation ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Head Impact ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Contact Sports ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Repetitive Head Impacts ◽  
Neurobehavioral Function ◽  
State Of The Science

Initially, interest in sport-related concussion arose from the premise that the study of athletes engaged in sports associated with high rates of concussion could provide insight into the mechanisms, phenomenology, and recovery from mild traumatic brain injury. Over the last decade, concerns have focused on the possibility that, for some athletes, repetitive concussions may raise the long-term risk for cognitive decline, neurobehavioral changes, and neurodegenerative disease. First conceptualized as a discrete event with variable recovery trajectories, concussion is now viewed by some as a trigger of neurobiological events that may influence neurobehavioral function over the course of the life span. Furthermore, advances in technology now permit us to gain a detailed understanding of the frequency and intensity of repetitive head impacts associated with contact sports (eg, football, ice hockey). Helmet-based sensors can be used to characterize the kinematic features of concussive impacts, as well as the profiles of typical head-impact exposures experienced by athletes in routine sport participation. Many large-magnitude impacts are not associated with diagnosed concussions, whereas many diagnosed concussions are associated with more modest impacts. Therefore, a full understanding of this topic requires attention to not only the effects of repetitive concussions but also overall exposure to repetitive head impacts. This article is a review of the current state of the science on the long-term neurocognitive and neurobehavioral effects of repetitive concussion and head-impact exposure in contact sports.

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