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Experimental Evaluation of Softball Protective Headgear for Defensive Play
John Strickland1, Grant Bevill1
11 University of North Florida.
Journal of Applied Biomechanics
|March 13, 2019
Summary
Softball fielder's masks reduce head impacts but don't meet catcher's mask standards. Further design improvements are needed to optimize impact attenuation and prevent facial injuries in softball players.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Protective Equipment Research
Background:
- Head injuries are common in softball, primarily affecting defensive fielders hit by the ball.
- Existing protective gear, like fielder's masks, varies in effectiveness against ball impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact attenuation and facial protection of softball fielder's masks.
- To compare the performance of fielder's masks against catcher's masks and unprotected conditions.
Main Methods:
- Instrumented Hybrid III headform testing at 40 mph and 60 mph impact speeds.
- Impacts were delivered to four locations, testing six fielder's masks and one catcher's mask.
- Unprotected conditions served as a baseline for comparison.
Main Results:
- Fielder's masks reduced peak linear and angular head accelerations by 25-49% at 40-60 mph.
- Performance did not meet the protective standards of catcher's masks.
- Some plastic fielder's masks allowed facial contact, particularly at the nose region at high speeds.
Conclusions:
- Wider adoption of fielder's masks can help mitigate head and facial injuries in softball.
- Further research and design optimization are necessary to enhance the impact attenuation capabilities of fielder's masks.
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