TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Inadequate helmet fit increases concussion severity in American high school football players
JO  - Sports health
A1  - Greenhill, Dustin A.
A1  - Navo, Paul
A1  - Zhao, Huaqing
A1  - Torg, Joseph
A1  - Comstock, R. Dawn
A1  - Boden, Barry P.
SP  - 238
EP  - 243
VL  - 8
IS  - 3
N2  - BACKGROUND: There is limited information on the relationship between American football helmet fit and concussion severity. HYPOTHESIS: Poor helmet fit may predispose football players to a more severe concussion. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. <br><br>METHODS: Data from concussion injury reports were obtained from the National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance System over a 9-year period. Symptoms, duration, and helmet parameters (fit, interior padding) were analyzed for all first-time concussions. <br><br>RESULTS: Data from 4580 concussions were analyzed. Patients who suffered concussions with a helmet that did not fit properly (3.22%), as determined by an athletic trainer, had higher rates of drowsiness (RR, 1.46; P = 0.005), hyperexcitability (RR, 2.38; P = 0.047), and sensitivity to noise (RR, 1.88; P < 0.001); had more symptoms (5.34 vs 4.54, P = 0.004); and had longer symptom duration (P = 0.04). Athletes with helmets lined with an air bladder had greater rates of sensitivity to light (RR, 1.13; P = 0.02), sensitivity to noise (RR, 1.25; P = 0.009), and longer symptom duration (P = 0.004) compared with foam or gel liners. <br><br>CONCLUSION: An improperly fitted football helmet is a risk factor for a concussion with more symptoms and of longer duration. Concussions of longer duration are also more common in players with an air bladder-lined helmet. Current high school football rules should mandate supervision and maintenance of helmet fit throughout the season, prior to impact. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Team physicians, athletic trainers, coaches, and high school officials should ensure proper oversight of helmet fit in high school athletes to decrease concussion severity and duration.<br><br>© 2016 The Author(s).<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1941-7381
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1941738116639027
ID  - ref1
ER  -