What is the Most Protective Design for Football Helmets?

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Presenter Information(s)

Maxwell Burrowes

Abstract or Description

Studies show that over 40% of contact sports athletes under 30 years old, including high school football players, end up suffering from CTE. To prevent concussions and CTE, it is crucial to have the best football helmet technology to protect these athlete’s brains. To test which helmet tech is the most effective, three different helmets were attached using string to a skateboard and rolled into a wall. The distance each helmet rebounded off the wall determines its ability to absorb force and prevent head injuries. The lower the rebound, the more effective the helmet because that means it absorbed more force instead of reflecting it in the form of a farther bounce. The test showed that the Riddell Speed Flex rebounded the least on average at 42.8cm, proving that it absorbed the most force. It was concluded that helmets with compressible plates in the outer shell of the helmet, like the Riddell Speedflex, are the most effective at preventing concussions.