Protection of the head and neck in sports

Gurdjian, E. S.<sup>1</sup>; Lissner, H. R.<sup>2</sup>; Patrick, L. M.<sup>2</sup>

Affiliations

¹Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University College of Medicine

Abstract

Existing data on factors at work in athletic injuries to the head and neck are reviewed. Measurements have been made of the energies, accelerations, and changes of intracranial pressure involved in cases of concussion and skull fracture. In the cadaver, linear skull fractures can be produced by energies of 4.6 to 6.9 kg.m. These impart an average acceleration of 112 g and increase the intracranial pressure by about 1,450 mm. Hg. Such figures afford a basis for the construction of protective helmets. The thickness of padding required can be computed from the weight and velocity of the injuring object. If the velocity is doubled, the padding has to be 4 times thicker.

Links

DOI: 10.1001/jama.1962.03050440001001

PubMed: 13951334

WoS: A19623387B00019

Cited Works (1)

Year	Entry
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Cited By (26)

Year	Entry
1970	Hodgson VR. Physical factors related to experimental concussion. In: Gurdjian ES, Lange WA, Patrick LM, Thomas LM, eds. Impact Injury and Crash Protection. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas; 1970:275-302.
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1972	Goldsmith W. Biomechanics of head injury. In: Fung YC, Perrone N, Anliker M, eds. Biomechanics: Its Foundations and Objectives. Symposium on Biomechanics, its Foundations and Objectives; July 29-31, 1970. Englewood Cliff, NJ: Inc., Prentice-Hall International; 1972:585-634.
1967	Dickinson TG. Fourteen ounces of prevention: a clinician's viewpoint. In: 11th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). 1967; Philadelphia, PA.245-270.
1982	Kikuchi A, Ono K, Nakamuha N. Human head tolerance to lateral impact deduced from experimental head injuries using primates. In: Proceedings of the 9th International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles (ESV). November 1-4, 1982; Kyoto, Japan.251-261.
1973	Roberts VL, McElhaney JH. Review of head injury tolerance to direct impact. In: Proceedings of the 1973 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. June 26-27, 1973; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.241-258.
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1964	Patrick LM, Daniel RP. Comparison of standard and experimental windshields. In: Patrick LM, ed. Proceedings of the 8th Stapp Car Crash and Field Demonstration Conference. October 21-23, 1964; Wayne State University. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press:147-166. SAE 640849.
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2015	Oxland TR. A history of spine biomechanics: focus on 20th century progress. Unfallchirurg. December 2015;118(suppl 1):80-92.
2020	Hanna B. Development of a Metamaterial for Use in American Football Head Protection [PhD thesis]. Cardiff University; September 2020.
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2016	Brooks JS. The Use of P3b as an Indicator of Neurophysiologic Change from Subconcussive Impacts in Football Players [Master's thesis]. University of Western Ontario; 2016.