skip navigation

Study: Helmet Type, Age Doesn't Affect Concussion Risk

By Lindsey Barton Straus, Mom's Team, 06/20/18, 12:00PM PDT

Share

... While football helmets do a "great job of preventing skull fractures, they can't stop the brain from sloshing around in the skull," which is what causes concussions.

The risk of sustaining a concussion in high school football is not affected by the brand, age of the helmet, or recondition status, or by the type of mouth guard worn, say researchers from the University of Wisconsin in a new study. 

"According to our research, lower risks of sustaining a sports-related concussion (SRC) and its severity were not improved based on a specific manufacturer. In addition, the SRC rates were similar for players wearing new helmets, as compared to those wearing older ones," said lead author, Timothy McGuine, PhD, ATC of the University of Wisconsin.