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.
The 3-year Penn State Study
In cooperation with Penn State University, over a 3-year period, SAFR 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.