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)
helmet sensor
The BodiTrak Helmet sensors used in the study have pressure monitors and impact sensors

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 Type80G+25-80G
Scrimmage15150
Full pads4.33107.4
Uppers0.7649
Helmets0.2512.25

Force of Hits – Results by Position

Subject
Number
Position Monitored
Sessions
Total 80GTotal 25G
1Tight End27017
2Offensive Line42395
3Defensive Line375116
4Defensive Line387180
5Safety455101
6Defensive Line4711148
7Offensive Line4710455
8Offensive Line26028
9Offensive Line4915344
10Offensive Line305221
11Running Back4313110
12Safety512124
13Defensive End374155
14Defensive End32795
15Defensive Line229
16Defensive Line36299
17Defensive Line47274
18Offensive Line381183
19Linebacker451151
20Offensive Line487301
21Tight End3713205
22Linebacker171283
23Offensive Line392315

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 field study tested SAFR Helmet Covers for two weeks in the same practice environment


2015201520162016
 SubjectWithout SAFR
80G+
With SAFR
80G+
Without SAFR
25-80Gs
With SFAR
25-80Gs
1227951
220326
30112568
111566
5618334
610631
7021331
8233240
9112437

Further research in 2017 showed significant results compared to 2015:


Total 80GTotal 25GAvg 80GAvg 25G
2015
16 Linemen
without SAFR
8328185.19176.13
2017
34 Linemen
with SAFR
12344333.62130.38

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 SAFR Helmet Covers, the number of hits in the 80G+ category was reduced.
  • SAFR Helmet Covers reduced the number and intensity of lower threshold helmet impacts that offensive and defensive linemen experienced during practice.

Published research results validate SAFR Helmet Covers performance

Journal of Concussion

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.