Overview

Past Projects

Head Injury Risk in Combat Sports

The goal of this study was to quantify head injury risk associated with different striking locations for athletes in combat sports. A crash test dummy, instrumented with sensors, was impacted in different locations of the head by a pneumatic ram. Injury risks were assessed and compared to human injury thresholds from literature.

Helmet Effectiveness in Falls from a Horse

The use of equestrian helmets in competitions is typically required, but many recreational riders still have the option to wear a helmet when riding a horse. In this study, linear and rotational kinematic data obtained from unhelmeted and helmeted conditions were used to evaluate the effectiveness of current equestrian helmets in preventing head injuries when falling from a horse.

Effect of Head Mass on Youth Football Player Concussion Risk

Increases in technology used in football helmets has more than doubled their weight in the last 20 years; yet the effect of this added weight on head stability in youth players is still unknown. This study sought to correlate the effect of increased helmet mass with concussion risk in youth football players by impacting a helmeted child crash test dummy at speeds and locations commonly seen during play.

Factors Effecting Youth Football Helmet Fit and Impact Performance

Modern football helmets have complex padding designs and advanced multi-component outer shells; yet, the fit and retention systems (e.g. chinstraps) used to hold helmets on an athlete’s head have largely remained unchanged for the last 50 years. This work investigated relative motion between the head and helmet during football hits and examined factors that affect the way a helmet fits. Additionally, this study investigated how fit alters a helmet’s ability to mitigate impact forces.

Recent Publications & Presentations

The Effect of Impact Location on Brain Injury Risk in Boxing

Stephen Rudolph, David Stark, Yun-Seok Kang

Poster: Denman Undergraduate Research Forum (March 2017).

Validation of a Helmet-Based System to Measure Head Impact Biomechanics in Ice Hockey

Mari Allison, Yun-Seok Kang, Matthew Maltese, John Bolte IV, Kristy Arbogast

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (July 2013).

Measurement of Hybrid III Head Impact Kinematics Using an Accelerometer and Gyroscope System in Ice Hockey Helmets

Mari Allison, Yun-Seok Kang, Matthew Maltese, John Bolte IV, Kristy Arbogast

Annals of Biomedical Engineering (Dec 2014).