Performance characteristics of a soccer head guard

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe selected performance characteristics of the Full 90 Select soccer head guard. More specifically the ability of the Full 90 Select head guard to attenuate the impact force of a size 5 soccer ball traveling at 8.67 m/s measured after a single impact, after repetitive impacts, and after the head guard had been soaked in water. The soccer ball was dropped onto a force plate or onto the head guard mounted onto the force plate. A video camera recorded the ball drop and impact at 120 images per second. The peak impact force transmitted through the head guard to the force plate was measured. Data from the digitized video recording was used to compute the impact velocity of the ball. The performance of the soccer head guard was also evaluated using impact tests specified by the NOCSAE standards for certifying lacrosse helmets. In these tests the head guard was mounted onto a head form, dropped from heights of 30, 48, and 60 inches, and the peak resultant acceleration and severity index was measured.