Impact Performance Comparison of Advanced Snow Sport Helmets with Dedicated Rotation-Damping Systems

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Traumatic Brain Injury Research

Background:

• Rotational head acceleration is a primary cause of concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Existing rotation-damping helmet systems aim to mitigate rotational forces but lack evaluation in snow sports.
• Snow sport helmets require effective protection against rotational impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of two rotation-damping systems (MIPS and WaveCel) in snow sport helmets.
• To compare the performance of helmets with MIPS and WaveCel against a standard helmet without damping.
• To quantify the reduction in rotational acceleration and predicted concussion risk.

Main Methods:

• Testing involved vertical drops of a helmeted Hybrid III head and neck onto an oblique anvil.
• Six impact conditions were used, varying impact speeds (4.8 and 6.2 m/s) and locations.
• Helmet performance was assessed via linear and rotational kinematics and predicted concussion probability.

Main Results:

• Both MIPS and WaveCel systems significantly reduced rotational acceleration across all tested conditions compared to the standard helmet.
• The impact on linear acceleration was less consistent between the damping systems and the standard helmet.
• Maximal predicted concussion probabilities were 89% for the standard helmet, 67% for MIPS, and 7% for WaveCel.

Conclusions:

• Rotation-damping systems in advanced snow sport helmets effectively reduce rotational head acceleration.
• These systems demonstrate a significant potential to lower the risk of concussion in snow sports.
• WaveCel and MIPS technologies show considerable promise in enhancing helmet safety for snow sports participants.