Affiliations: Clinical Research Center, The Medical College of Wisconsin | Department of Neurosurgery, The Medical College of Wisconsin | Department of Neurosurgery, The Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University | Department of Neurosurgery, The Medical College of Wisconsin and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI
Note: [] Reprint requests should be addressed to Thomas J. Myers, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Clinical Research Center, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the force-deformation characteristics of football helmets subjected to compressive loading on the crown surface. Tests were conducted at quasi-static and dynamic rates of loading. Energies were computed from the force-deformation data. The padding systems represented by the helmets differed in their ability to absorb energy under varying loading rates. Helmets using pneumatic or combination pneumatic-foam padding systems were the most successful while suspension helmets were able to absorb the least amount of energy. The evaluation of energy absorption characteristics is an alternative method of describing the effectiveness of football helmets in preventing head injury.
Keywords: football helmets, energy absorption, impact testing, compression testing, head injury
