The results of two studies on the effect of equestrian helmets and terrain on head and neck injuries were presented at the 6th International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport, October 27-29 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The conference was organized by the International Olympic Committee and sponsored by the FEI, Fédération Internationale de Football Association, World Rugby, International Ice Hockey Federation and Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

Researcher Sara Gould, Associate Professor at the Department of Orthopedics, Division of Sports Medicine at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and her team from the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine conducted the studies using test dummies. One study looked at rotational velocity during head impact using a standard equestrian helmet made from a polycarbonate shell over expanded polystyrene foam compared to newer technology known as the Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS).

In this study, the test dummy was launched from an accelerated sled at 13.0 mph which came to an abrupt stop at the end of the track which propelled the dummy off the holding device with a tripping mechanism induced angular momentum. The team measured peak deceleration, duration of peak deceleration, peak rotational velocity and duration of peak rotational velocity.

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