34th Annual UMBC McNair & Undergraduate Research National Conference

Cass Lewis, a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in Biological Sciences, researches how helmet weight impacts concussion risk. Their work analyzes linear and rotational acceleration in helmet-to-anvil impact tests, highlighting differences between pre-contact and post-contact forces. Outside of academics, they enjoy puzzles, time outdoors with friends, and adventures with their dog.  Abstract: The human brain is highly vulnerable to trauma, especially in high-impact sports like American football. While helmets are designed to reduce direct impact forces and prevent skull fractures, the influence of helmet weight on concussion risk remains insufficiently explored. Existing research has focused on what a concussion is, how it relates to the public, and what protection helmets provide, but studies have not directly isolated helmet mass as a variable influencing concussion risk during collision. This study aims to investigate whether helmet mass contributes to changes in blunt impact performance as measured by transmitted forces during a standardized laboratory impact. Specifically, we tested two identical helmet designs of varying mass on a novel blunt-impact drop testing tower set in a pose to replicate a human on-field backfall motion with a direct impact to the rear of the head. Key metrics included peak linear acceleration, angular acceleration, and force trace during the impact sequence. Our findings suggest that counter to expectations, the helmet mass at the velocity tested (13 ft/sec) had no statistically significant influence. As concussions become an increasing concern for all sports, understanding how weight/mass affects helmet system performance is essential. The average helmet mass across products is ~5 pounds. Being there is no observable penalty for lower mass regarding impact performance. Being there is no observable penalty for lower mass regarding impact performance, lighter helmets can be recommended to athletes as lighter helmets have other positive performance and functional benefits.