Field Studies

The 3-year University Study

Over a 3-year period, in cooperation with a major university in Pennsylvania, SAFR Sports investigated the effects of accumulated sub-concussive impacts in Division I college football using advanced biomechanical technology on various cognitive processes (via virtual reality), as well as blood biomarkers, and structural and functional integrity (via MRI).

Force was measured with specially-designed helmet sensors

• BodiTrak accelerometers provided through the Head Health Network – elastic fabric with pressure monitors and impact sensors (one of the first validated sensors that measured linear and rotational force)
• Sensors provide information on acceleration, location of impact, and rotational aspect of impact
• Fitted and placed inside athlete’s helmet (different sensors for different helmet styles/brands)

Hits were measured in the following categories over a two-week period

• 25G to 80G: While not considered a concussion, repetitive hits measured in this range can cause long-term health concerns.
• 80G or more Force at this level (or higher) can cause a concussion blow.

Average Hits Per Practice

Practice Type	80G+	25-80G
Scrimmage	15	150
Full pads	4.33	107.4
Uppers	0.76	49
Helmets	0.25	12.25

Force of Hits – Results by Position

Subject Number	Position	Monitored Sessions	Total 80G	Total 25G
1	Tight End	27	0	17
2	Offensive Line	42	3	95
3	Defensive Line	37	5	116
4	Defensive Line	38	7	180
5	Safety	45	5	101
6	Defensive Line	47	11	148
7	Offensive Line	47	10	455
8	Offensive Line	26	0	28
9	Offensive Line	49	15	344
10	Offensive Line	30	5	221
11	Running Back	43	13	110
12	Safety	51	2	124
13	Defensive End	37	4	155
14	Defensive End	32	7	95
15	Defensive Line	2	2	9
16	Defensive Line	36	2	99
17	Defensive Line	47	2	74
18	Offensive Line	38	1	183
19	Linebacker	45	1	151
20	Offensive Line	48	7	301
21	Tight End	37	13	205
22	Linebacker	17	12	83
23	Offensive Line	39	2	315

Football Position is a Factor

Findings suggests offensive and defensive lineman sustain the greatest number of impacts.

While linemen impacts are at a lower magnitude than other positions, impacts are involved in short distance on almost every play.

Cumulative impacts, even at a lower magnitude, may result in long-term health concerns.

The SAFR study tested ProTech for two weeks in the same practice environment

	2015	2015	2016	2016
Subject	Without ProTech 80G+	With ProTech 80G+	Without ProTech 25-80Gs	With ProTech 25-80Gs
1	2	2	79	51
2	2	0	32	6
3	0	1	125	68
4	1	1	156	6
5	6	1	83	34
6	1	0	63	1
7	0	2	13	31
8	2	3	32	40
9	1	1	24	37

Further research in 2017 showed significant results compared to 2015:

	Total 80G	Total 25G	Avg 80G	Avg 25G
2015 16 Linemen without ProTechs	83	2818	5.19	176.13
2017 34 Linemen with ProTechs	123	4433	3.62	130.38

Results from Data Collected

• With ProTechs, the number of sub-concussive hits in the 25-80G category was reduced by more than half in the 14 compared dates from 2016 to 2015.

• With Protechs, the number of hits in the 80G+ category was reduced.

• ProTechs reduced the number and intensity of lower threshold helmet impacts that offensive and defensive linemen experienced during practice.

Published research results validate ProTech performance

Journal of Concussion, Effect of subconcussive impacts on functional outcomes over a single collegiate football season. Alexa Walter, Madeleine Scaramuzzo, Tim Bream, Peter Seidenberg, Scott Lynch, Semyon M Slobounov. Published December 25, 2020.

Chapter 4: The Effect of Head Acceleration Events on Functional Outcomes: A Two Football Season Comparison Study. Alexa Walter, PhD Dissertation. Published May 5, 2020.

For more information about data or studies, please contact us.