[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/06\/how-sports-helmets-prevent-head-injuries\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/06\/how-sports-helmets-prevent-head-injuries\/","headline":"Infographic: A Heads Up on Preventing Sports Injuries","name":"Infographic: A Heads Up on Preventing Sports Injuries","description":"Concussions happen even when wearing a helmet. It's a common myth that sports helmets can prevent concussions. Learn about different sports helmets.","datePublished":"2015-06-24","dateModified":"2020-01-16","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","name":"Sports Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/sports-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/helmet-football.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/helmet-football.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/06\/how-sports-helmets-prevent-head-injuries\/","about":["Neurosurgery and Brain Health","Sports Medicine"],"wordCount":515,"keywords":["baseball helmet","batting helmet","concussion myths","football helmet","head injury","helmet safety","hockey helmet","infographic","nascar helmet","rethink concussions","sports helmet","traumatic brain injury","UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program"],"articleBody":"On professional and amateur levels, head injuries, including concussions, are common sports injuries. Athletes of all ages and abilities wear helmets as a safety mechanism to protect against head injuries ranging from trauma resulting from crashes to minor bumps and bruises.While helmets can provide protection from injuries including skull fractures, it is actually a common myth that helmets prevent concussions. An estimated 1.8 to 3.6 million concussions occur per year in the United States in sports and recreational activities, even when athletes wear helmets.For more information, visit UPMC’s ReThink Concussions website.Football HelmetBasic components: Full helmet covering ears, chin strap, face mask, mouth guardOuter shell: Made of polycarbonate (plastic)Inner shell: Made of specifically engineered liners used for protection and proper fit with extra padding under ear to protect the jawChin strap: Helps to secure the helmet to the athlete’s headFace mask: There are different types depending on position played to allow for better visibility or protectionFun fact: The NFL made helmets mandatory in 1943.Fun fact: In the 1970s, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment introduced performance standard guidelines.Batting HelmetBasic components:Full helmet covering back and sides of head and at least one earOuter shell: Can range from plastic to more durable polymersInner shell: Made of foam padding to protect skull against stray pitchesSide flap: Should cover at least one ear \u2013 whichever one faces the pitcherProper fit: Should be secure but not squeeze the headFun fact: In 1941, the Brooklyn Dodgers became the first team to wear helmets during regular season games.Fun fact: The MLB made helmets mandatory in 1971.Hockey HelmetBasic components: Designed to provide a secure grip on the side and back of head, most include face cage and shieldOuter shell: Composed of plastic, or lighter composite materialsInner shell: Made of vinyl nitrile or a similar material with the intention to absorb energy and add a layer of protection between outer shell and headFace cage: Depends on position played, but can offer full coverage. The majority of helmets come with a shield to provide protection and maintain full visibility.Proper fit: Sizes vary based on head measurements and helmets are adjustableFun fact: The NHL made helmets mandatory in 1979.NASCAR HelmetBasic components: Full head coverage with three protective layers designed to distribute the impact during crashes when head can move uncontrollablyOuter shell: First line of defence to absorbe energy, made of a fiberglass\/carbon fiber compositionMiddle layer: Comprised of a foam lining that is intended to absorb energy not absorbed by outer shellInner layer: Form-fitted padding made of nylon or a fire-resistant materialFun fact: In 2001, NASCAR began enforcing full face mask helmets. “The Auto Union made helmets mandatory in 1914, but hard-shell helmets weren’t designed until the 1950s.To learn more about concussions, head injuries, and how to protect against them, visit the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program online. Understand more about managing concussions, as well as testing and treatment for concussions and information from the latest studies."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Infographic: A Heads Up on Preventing Sports Injuries","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/06\/how-sports-helmets-prevent-head-injuries\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]