Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
6-5-2025 1:00 PM
End Date
6-5-2025 4:00 PM
Description
Introduction: Concussions in football pose significant health risks, requiring the implementation of effective protective gear to reduce the incidence of head injuries. Helmets and mouthguards are standard equipment, but their true effectiveness remains debated.
Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of modern football protective gear, specifically helmets and mouthguards, in the prevention of concussions.
Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Embase. A total of 3,894 studies were reviewed, and 35 studies met the inclusion criteria. Independent reviewers analyzed the studies to determine the impact of helmets and mouthguards on concussion rates, reconciling discrepancies through a third-party decision. No funding or third-party data collection was required.
Results: The analysis revealed that helmets incorporating MIPS and TPU cushioning were effective in reducing concussion rates by 40%. However, the efficacy of headgear and mouthguards was inconsistent across studies. Headgear was found to slightly increase the risk of concussion, while mouthguards provided minimal protection, reducing concussion incidence by 19% in some studies but lacking statistical significance in others.
Conclusion: Helmets are the most effective piece of protective gear in reducing the risk of concussions in football. While mouthguards may offer some protective benefit, their impact on concussion prevention remains limited. Further research is necessary to explore alternative measures, such as policy changes, to improve concussion prevention strategies in football.
Embargo Period
5-28-2025
Included in
A systemic review of efficacy, ratings and top football gear for concussion prevention in 2024
Suwanee, GA
Introduction: Concussions in football pose significant health risks, requiring the implementation of effective protective gear to reduce the incidence of head injuries. Helmets and mouthguards are standard equipment, but their true effectiveness remains debated.
Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of modern football protective gear, specifically helmets and mouthguards, in the prevention of concussions.
Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Embase. A total of 3,894 studies were reviewed, and 35 studies met the inclusion criteria. Independent reviewers analyzed the studies to determine the impact of helmets and mouthguards on concussion rates, reconciling discrepancies through a third-party decision. No funding or third-party data collection was required.
Results: The analysis revealed that helmets incorporating MIPS and TPU cushioning were effective in reducing concussion rates by 40%. However, the efficacy of headgear and mouthguards was inconsistent across studies. Headgear was found to slightly increase the risk of concussion, while mouthguards provided minimal protection, reducing concussion incidence by 19% in some studies but lacking statistical significance in others.
Conclusion: Helmets are the most effective piece of protective gear in reducing the risk of concussions in football. While mouthguards may offer some protective benefit, their impact on concussion prevention remains limited. Further research is necessary to explore alternative measures, such as policy changes, to improve concussion prevention strategies in football.
Comments
Presented by Mutasem Shopon