Category
Theoretical Proposal
Description
This research study will investigate how helmet designs in the National Football League have changed in response to concussion concerns and player safety. Development of soft-shell helmet technology (Guardian Caps) and advancements in the padding inside of NFL helmets have caused concussion numbers to decrease and have caused head injuries to be less severe in the NFL over the last 25 years. The severity of these head injuries can be seen in recovery time for NFL players after sustaining a concussion. Our study aims to address the question: “How have advancements helmet design and engineering in the NFL impacted the number of head injuries to athletes since the year 2000?” Our hypothesis asserts that advanced helmet designs are associated with lower concussion incidence rates. Utilizing a retrospective longitudinal data analysis model and secondary data, we will analyze concussion numbers for NFL players over the last 25 seasons, collecting data from injuries that take place in practice, preseason, and regular season games. Our target population in this study will be NFL players that have sustained concussions since 2000. Thus, quantitative data will be most relevant to our research and study. We anticipate that the findings produced by this study will provide proof that the NFL’s efforts to reduce concussion numbers for its athletes through helmet design advancements have been successful since 2000. If our hypothesis is supported, future research could explore new advancements that could be made to helmet design to further reduce concussion numbers in the NFL, making the game safer for athletes and leading to less traumatic brain injuries that impact the athletes beyond retirement from the sport.
Helmet Design Advancements Impacting Head Injuries in the NFL
Theoretical Proposal
This research study will investigate how helmet designs in the National Football League have changed in response to concussion concerns and player safety. Development of soft-shell helmet technology (Guardian Caps) and advancements in the padding inside of NFL helmets have caused concussion numbers to decrease and have caused head injuries to be less severe in the NFL over the last 25 years. The severity of these head injuries can be seen in recovery time for NFL players after sustaining a concussion. Our study aims to address the question: “How have advancements helmet design and engineering in the NFL impacted the number of head injuries to athletes since the year 2000?” Our hypothesis asserts that advanced helmet designs are associated with lower concussion incidence rates. Utilizing a retrospective longitudinal data analysis model and secondary data, we will analyze concussion numbers for NFL players over the last 25 seasons, collecting data from injuries that take place in practice, preseason, and regular season games. Our target population in this study will be NFL players that have sustained concussions since 2000. Thus, quantitative data will be most relevant to our research and study. We anticipate that the findings produced by this study will provide proof that the NFL’s efforts to reduce concussion numbers for its athletes through helmet design advancements have been successful since 2000. If our hypothesis is supported, future research could explore new advancements that could be made to helmet design to further reduce concussion numbers in the NFL, making the game safer for athletes and leading to less traumatic brain injuries that impact the athletes beyond retirement from the sport.
