LSU among just a handful of universities taking part in a study this college football season that involves placing a piece of “smart fabric” designed to prevent concussions inside 24 helmets, WAFB-TV reports.
LSU is partnering with Baton Rouge-based Head Health Network to analyze the hits football player take and figure out ways to minimize concussions and other injuries.
“As I press inside the helmet, you can see the pressure map show up on the screen, and as I change the pressure location inside the helmet, the pressure changes on the screen as well,” Head Health Network President Curtis Cruz explained during a recent demonstration of the technology.
The helmets consist of an accelerometer and gyroscope that measure impact and force, as well as a digital thermometer to measure body temperature, and the company’s patented “smart fabric” that directly measures the location of each impact. The data is transmitted wirelessly to the sidelines in real-time, where trainers and doctors can track each player’s hits throughout the game and decide if and when they need medical attention.
“Our tool and other sensors that are on the market are good tools in helping to spot concussions, but right now we’re far away from saying they actually diagnose concussions,” Cruz explained.
Dr. Eric Oberlander serves as the team’s neurosurgeon and practices at The Neuromedical Center in Perkins Rowe. He says the smart helmets may eventually help researchers understand why some players are more susceptible to concussions and long-term brain damage. Another question is what difference the age of the player makes.
“The goal is to collect data, which is something that LSU is leading the nation on, and to analyze it and to figure out the answers to these questions,” Oberlander says.
The commercial market that’s developed over the last five years is helping to collect that data, and Oberlander predicts parents will eventually be able to monitor their kids in real-time from a smartphone app.
The LSU football team averages six concussions during preseason training, and three during the regular season, according to head trainer Jack Marucci.
