Football season is in high gear. But there is some sobering news out that suggests that when it comes to younger players there is no such thing as a “safer” helmet. The American Academy of Pediatrics has noted the findings of a study last week that found there are about 40,000 sports-related concussions in high school football each year! This may occur from misdiagnosis in-game, but the study noted that that it is unlikely that the players’ equipment factored in. The study involved 1,332 football players at 36 high schools during the 2012 football season. What the study did find was that the more expensive helmets may not be offering enhanced protection.
In the abstract, “Association of Helmet Brand and Mouth Guard Type with Incidence of Sport Related Concussion in High School Football Players,” researchers tested various mouth guard brands, including custom-fit mouth guards, and new and older football helmets.
“Our preliminary findings suggest that neither any specific brand of football helmet nor custom mouth guards result in fewer concussions in kids who use them,” said lead co-investigator Margaret Alison Brooks, MD, MPH, FAAP. “Despite what manufacturers might claim, newer and more expensive equipment may not reduce concussion risk. So is it worth the significant extra cost to families and schools?”
[Press Release: Can the ‘right’ helmet prevent concussions?]