Association football headgear

Association football headgear is worn by association football (soccer) players to protect the head from injury. The headgear is designed to absorb the impact of blows to the head by external physical forces in order to reduce the chance of a concussion. [http://astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/STORE/filtrexx40.cgi?U+mystore+zqce6219+-L+SOCCER:HEADGEAR+/usr6/htdocs/astm.org/DATABASE.CART/REDLINE_PAGES/F2439.htm "ACTIVE STANDARD: ASTM F2439-06 Standard Specification for Headgear Used in Soccer"] . ASTM International. Retrieved on 2008-02-20.] These collisions can occur from head to head, head to ground, head to goal post, or head to body extremity contact. It is flexible, not a rigid helmet.

Function and structure

Since "soccer is one of a few sports in which the head is intentionally and frequently used to strike the ball"(May 2002). [http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6389608-description.html "Soccer Headgear - US Patent 6389608"] . Patent Storm. Retrieved on 2008-02-20.] , a uniquely designed form headgear was created. A plastic helmet as in other sports would not suffice since they are bulky and may consist of uneven surfaces; this would make ball control off a header nearly impossible. Most soccer headgear is made from foam that will cushion the head from the full force of the impact. The softness of the foam will increase the time of impact and lessen the blow without altering the direction and distance of the ball as it rebounds off the head. [http://www.neuroskills.com/pr-headgear.shtml "Soccer Headgear Fails Impact Tests"] . Centre for Neuro Skills. Retrieved on 2008-02-20.]

Types of headgear

ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) set a product performance standard for headgear in soccer in 2006. This standard does not address head to ball contact, solely head to hard surface contact. There are currently two headguards that meet the ASTM soccer headgear standard, the DonJoy Hat Trick and the Full90 Sports Premier-A. [http://www.full90.com/news/pressrelease_article.asp?PressReleaseGUID={62C93BD2-53F0-4BFF-BAA9-AF9623DA81DE} "NFHS Acknowledges Headgear Standard"] . Full90 Press Releases. Retrieved on 2008-02-20.] Both comply with FIFA, the U.S. Soccer Federation, and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSH).

DonJoy Hat Trick

The DonJoy Hat Trick is composed of a Lycra outer fabric layer to conform to the head as well as an inner liner Coolmax fabric to increase moisture evaporation, keeping the head cool. Impact-absorbing foam covers the forehead and temple areas. It has four adjustable straps around the occipital lobe region of the head. ( [http://www.donjoy.com/index.asp/fuseaction/products.detail/cat/11/id/189 Link with image] )

Full90 Sports Premier

The Full90 Sports Premier uses ForceBloc foam to cover the forehead and occipital regions. It utilizes the Coolmax system to reduce moisture build-up. An X-band design is used with cross-straps to fasten the headguard through lightweight technology. ( [http://www.full90.com/showcase/full90_premier.asp Link with images] )

Head Blast Soccer Band

The Head Blast tm Soccer Band is a layered band comprised of moisture wicking first layer followed by force attenuating foam, plastic, more force attenuating foam, your team logo layer, and very clear plastic outer layer. It is very comfortable and well liked by the players. ( [http://www.headblast.com link with images] )

Other brands

Other available headgear products include Kangaroo Soccer Headgear, Headers, and Protector.

Headgear studies

Injury to the head can occur from repeatedly making contact with the ball through headers or from a single blow. The danger of this trauma is especially significant to children because their bodies are not fully developed and may not be able to counteract a blow to the head. Minor trauma similar to pugilistic dementia may occur from repetitively heading the ball. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that headgear does not help reduce the impact on the head from ball contact. This is because a human head is stiffer than the soccer ball. On impact, the ball will deform more than the head.Withnall, Shewchenko, Wonnacott, Dvorak (2005). [http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/39/suppl_1/i40 "Effectiveness of Headgear in Football"] . British Journal of Sports Medicine 39(1), i40-i48.] However, studies in 2006 by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the University of Pennsylvania found no link between brain injuries and routinely heading the ball.Martin, Hugo. [http://www.projo.com/health/content/projo_20060820_soccerhel.31f233c.html "Should your soccer player be wearing headgear?"] , "The Providence Journal", August 20, 2006. Accessed February 20, 2008.] Because of this, the aim of wearing headgear turned to preventing accidental head on head collisions between players on the pitch. It was found that there is an overall 33% reduction of impact force on the head from head to head impacts when headgear is used. The U.S. Soccer Federation sees that protective headgear in soccer can provide measurable benefit in head to head contact, and permits players to wear headgear at their own discretion until more conclusive evidence is obtained.

ee also (other equipment)

*Kit (association football)
*Shin guards
*Soccer cleats on football boots

References