Football helmet sensor

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from a hit to the head which temporarily changes brain function. Most concussions occur due to direct impact to the head. However, impact to the body (i.e.: body checks, falls, cross checks, or tackles) which cause the brain to move quickly within the skull, may also attribute to TBIs.

What are the impacts of a concussion?

Any trauma to the brain should be considered serious!

“Subconcussive level impacts can lead to significant neurological alterations, especially if the blows are repetitive”.

Symptoms of concussions are not the same for everyone and vary based on the severity of the brain injury. Concussion suffers can exhibit a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. Those who have experienced a concussion are more likely to suffer another, especially if the injury occurs before the first concussion has had time to heal. TBIs can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and other brain disorders that become more prevalent with age. Repeated mild TBIs occurring over an extended period of time (i.e.: months, years) can result in cumulative neurological and cognitive deficits. Repeated mild TBIs occurring within a short period of time (i.e.: hours, days or weeks) can be catastrophic or fatal.

What is a football helmet sensor?

Football helmet sensors were developed as a front line assessment device to warn parents, athletic trainers and coaches when a player impact should be assessed for concussion.

How does a football helmet sensor work?

When attached to a helmet, a football helmet sensor can assess the linear and rotational acceleration magnitude and direction of a hit that may result in a concussion via its AT&T IoT Starter Kit SENSOR. The football helmet sensor is designed to alert at a threshold of 20 g (peak G linear acceleration) to the head by using algorithms to calculate helmet and head acceleration. Based on research from Gwin, et al*, it was seen that 86% of impacts in football fall below the 50 g threshold. There is also a growing body of research indicating that concussions predominantly fall in a range between 70 – 100 g (Broglio, et al*).

*No helmet sensor can accurately determine that a blow to the head is concussive.

Football helmet sensor sends raw data, 100 yards to a sideline smartphone or tablet where a software app applies offset/correlation algorithms based to estimate CofG head acceleration. The algorithms account for helmet make and model as well as mechanical decoupling of the helmet during impact. Algorithms are based upon test data from monorail drop tests onto MEP pad and freefall pendulum impactor tests against a Hybrid III 5oth male (3,2,2,2 array) headform.

Key Features

• Wireless Bluetooth

• Long battery life

• Installs on any helmet

• Impact analysis

• Pair entire team

• Share impact data.

Software App

The easy to use dashboard gives you quick access to all features:

• View Player menu (over 125 players at a time)

• Add/modify player information

• View all impacts at team level

• View individual player impact history

• Add and manage contact alert settings

• View sensor battery status

• Set sensor settings and impact alert thresholds

• Export all player data as MS Excel data file

Player Assessment Module

Football helmet sensor uses includes a mini SCAT (Sports Concussion Assessment Tool) to aid parents, coaches and Athletic Trainers in recording player symptoms and notes after an impact alert. This feature is meant to be a record keeping tool and not a substitute for physician assessment of concussion. The Assessment module contains the following features:

• Player observed and reported Symptoms (checklist without grading score)

• Randomized Maddocks and Cognitive Assessment questions

• Modified (sharpened) Romberg balance test.