Helmet Sensors Help Prevent Concussions

Head injuries suffered by football players are nothing new. Numerous studies in recent years have confirmed that concussions among football players occur often, and their harmful effects can last long after the athletes are done playing the sport. A study conducted in 2023 by the Aguirre Law Firm determined that among 10,000 high school football players, at least 11.2 of them will experience a concussion, a rate higher than both college and pro football players. In an effort to keep players healthy, Woodberry tested new technology last fall so the coaches and trainers can better understand which players might be susceptible to injury. 

It all began as the athletic department was looking at their annual purchase of new helmets. They were approached by Riddell, a company that manufactures helmets with sensors to help monitor concussions.

At first the athletic department was not ready to fully jump in, so they decided to buy 13 helmets to test the product. “We wanted to explore it and do a pilot test of the technology,” said Bradley Jones, Woodberry’s head athletic trainer.  

The coaches gave the new helmets to three defensive backs, a wide receiver, four inside linebackers, one defensive lineman, three offensive linemen, and one tight end. 

“I used my head in some sort of way in every play, falling or hitting someone,” said Buddy Wegdam ’26, who was assigned one of the helmets. “The helmet felt exactly the same as what I had used before. I couldn’t even tell it had sensors in it.”  

The sensors detect acceleration and deceleration. When the sensors detect a huge deceleration, that means the brain has probably collided with the skull. “This can lead to concussion symptoms and the need for further attention,” said Jones.

Alongside many other factors, the sensors are one of the reasons the football team did not suffer a single concussion all season. Coaches and trainers would look at the data and use it to inform how they conducted each practice. Factors like which position had been hit too much, or which players specifically needed a break. 

“The technology alone did not cause this, but it did give our coaching staff insight to how much of a load the boys were receiving each practice,” said Jones.